Probe sought over reports on Lankan ISIS militant

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Muslim Community has expresses its deep?dismay at media reports of the first Sri Lankan killed in battle in Syria with the Islamic State (IS) militants.

In a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena, the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka said that the group of?extremists who call themselves the caliphate or Islamic State (Formerly known as ISIS) is a threat to Islam and the group violates both Sharia law and humanitarian law.

“Islam is a religion of mercy and tolerance that totally prohibits the taking of innocent lives. There is no theological basis for any crimes to be committed through terrorism or violence. The Muslims of Sri Lanka join Islamic scholars and Muslim leaders around the world to condemn without any reservation the ISIS and its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi for failing to respect key tenants of Islam. Their actions are un-Islamic and inhumane,”??the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka said.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka?call on the President?and the Government of Sri Lanka to conduct a thorough investigation, punish all who may have violated the laws of the land, and ensure that no more Sri Lankans are misled in to joining any terrorist movement.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka also said that as civil society representatives of Muslims, they are?committed to help in any investigation and action that would be initiated by the Government. (Colombo Gazette)