Mangala slams “apartheid” act of banning Muslim traders in Wennappuwa

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has slammed an apartheid-style decision taken by local authorities to ban Muslim traders in Wennappuwa.

It was reported that the Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Sabha has temporarily banned Muslim traders from trading at the Dankotuwa sathi pola (market).

“Apartheid in Wennappuwa; Muslim traders banned in weekly market by @PresRajapaksa controlled local council,” Samaraweera tweeted in response to the move.

In a letter addressed to residents in Dankotuwa and other relevant authorities, Wennappuwa PS Chairman Susantha Perera has said that the decision was taken after considering a petition submitted to him by residents and traders in Dankotuwa claiming that they did not feel safe trading together with Muslim traders.

Further, he has stated that the decision was taken to guarantee the security of the area. (Colombo Gazette)