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| Thursday, 12 February 2004 |
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Twelve member gang arrested for attacks on 30 churches The police have arrested a 12 member gang led by a former railway engineer who returned to the island recently from Australia for allegedly attacking 30 Christian churches and institutions. Police investigations revealed that this well organised gang whose motive was to cause religious disharmony and strife had been allegedly responsible for these attacks on churches and other Christian bodies in a number of areas including Negombo, Nugegoda, Udawalawe, Embilipitiya, Avisssawella, Homagama, Pannala, Hettipola, Kirulapone, Maharagama, and several other areas. Police sources said that the breakthrough was made on Monday when the gang which had it's centre of operations in Homagama had travelled by van to Kebitigollawa and attacked a community centre run by villagers with the assistance of World Vision, set it on fire and razed it to the ground. The police gave chase and apprehended the van and the gang of criminals who were on their way back to Homagama. Police sources told the Daily News last that investigations had revealed that this gang based in Homagama was responsible for a spate of attacks on churches, prayer centers and other Christian institutions in many parts of the country. Their center of operation was Homagama. The gang leader had been earlier arrested by the police as a suspect in an attack on a church in Homagama. He was on bail. All the members of the gang were from Homagama. They have been remanded after being produced in courts and charged for committing religious mischief, arson, unlawful assembly, damage to property and travelling in a vehicle carrying false number plates. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has given strict instructions to the Police to deal sternly with extremists responsible for these acts. The President in a national telecast interview on January 23 said, "I believe everybody has a right to subscribe to whatever religions or philosophy of their choice or to speak any language or belong to any political party they want. If there is anybody who is intolerant of this, that has to be met with the strictest measures." |
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