NEW DELHI: Cricketing legends Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, and Sanath Jayasuriya on Wednesday took to Twitter condemning anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka and demand action against those behind recent communal violence.
The anti-Muslim violence left two people dead and more than 100 homes, several mosques and shops belonging to the minority community set ablaze.
Former Sri Lanka captain, Kumar Sangakkara wrote, ““No one in Sri Lanka can be marginalized or threatened or harmed due to their ethnicity or religion. We are One Country and One people. Love, trust and acceptance should be our common mantra. No place for racism and violence. STOP. Stand together and stand strong.”
No one in Sri Lanka can be marginalized or threatened or harmed due to their ethnicity or religion. We are One Country and One people. Love, trust and acceptance should be our common mantra. No place for racism and violence. STOP. Stand together and stand strong.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) March 7, 2018
“I strongly condemn the recent acts of violence & everyone involved must be brought to justice regardless of race/ religion or ethnicity. I grew up in a civil war which lasted 25 years and don’t want the next generation to go through that”, a worried Mahela Jayawardena demanding action without any discrimination wrote .
I strongly condemn the recent acts of violence & everyone involved must be brought to justice regardless of race/ religion or ethnicity. I grew up in a civil war which lasted 25 years and don’t want the next generation to go through that.
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) March 7, 2018
Sanath Jayasurya too had condemn strongly.
Disgusting and sickening to see the acts of violence in Sri Lanka. I condemn strongly and to bring the involved culprits to justice. I request people of Sri Lanka to be wise and stay together in these tough times
— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) March 7, 2018
Twitter users wondered why the sport-stars in India aren’t speaking up just like their Sri cricketing legends.
https://twitter.com/NavenduSingh_/status/971318285236080640
https://twitter.com/SpaceCrazy/status/971283502091177984
https://twitter.com/TVMosandasPai/status/971342141757763584
https://twitter.com/Nambbali/status/971314817091952640
ALSO READ: Despite emergency, Buddhist mobs clash with police, attack Mosque
Following the incidents of violence, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday declared a state of emergency and deployed the police and military to prevent further violence.
It was the first time since August 2011 that a state of emergency was in force in the Indian Ocean’s island nation.