Colombo, June 13, 2019: Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says he accepts the recent announcement of Buddhist prelates and will take steps to set up a council to dispel the suspicions and misconceptions among religions and build religious reconciliation.
The premier told a function in Baddegama June 08 that a religious reconciliation council will be established under the leadership of all religious leaders.
The main objective of this program is to reconcile religions and communities, he added.
Buddhist prelates have pointed out that there will be no solution by removing Muslims and Tamils from the mainstream.
Wickremesinghe noted that whatever religious views they hold, everyone should have the right to practice their religion freely.
Stressing that the constitution has established that priority should be given to Buddhism, and all other religions have also accepted that, he said that on that basis the religious reconciliation council can resolve issues between the religions.
Arrangements will be made to promptly formulate the laws and regulations necessary to set up the council, he added.
(Newshub)