Sri Lanka orders 161 foreign Muslim clerics out

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Sri Lanka has ordered a group of 161 foreign Muslim clerics to leave the country, for flouting visa regulations by preaching to pockets of Muslims around the country, an official said Sunday.
Controller of Immigration and Emigration Chulananda Perera said the clerics, who were mostly Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian, Maldivian and Arab, had travelled into the country on tourist visas.
“We have ordered them to leave the country by January 31. They have violated immigration laws. A tourist visa is to have a holiday or visit friends and family and not to preach Islam,” Perera told AFP.
He said the group, which belongs to the Tabligh Jamat group, arrived in Sri Lanka last month in small batches.
Perera said he acted on several complaints by the Muslim community, that the clerics were not preaching the moderate Islam practiced on the Buddhist-dominated island.
“Foreign clerics wishing to preach Islam in Sri Lanka, must first apply for permission through the religious affairs authorities,” Perera said.
In January, Sri Lanka launched an online-visa application system, scrapping the one-month visa on arrival for foreigners, except Maldivians and Singaporeans.

18 COMMENTS

    • "Menace of organised religion" ??? Yes, Islam is extremely organised. However, it s not menace. It is a source of "success".

    • Yes! You are right. This will compulsorily test our tolerance level. Well said. Please accept my Salams

  1. Leader is the representative of deads & actions of his followers. P.M has proved that he is “leader” in true sense. Cheeting has become our national trade mark therefore it is no big issue that P.M cheated through. On the other hand it was nt first time, continous practice of cheating has develop this thing into our habits or probably it has become genetic problem

  2. this nation is a peacefull one, but our northan brother have make up there mind to take our peace, i what to ask? what will happen if the nation is divided, so this north can just find there way, if they like they kill them selfs.

  3. Once a 'mulla' always a 'mulla.' Headache. Only the Bangladesh government of Sheikh Hasina had the courage to arrest more than 600 members of the Jamaat e Islami in Dhaka and other cities. Well done Sri Lanka. Peace to your country

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