In recent times, Sri Lanka has seen a rise in ethnic tensions fuelled by the Bodu Bala Sena ( BBS). For some months, the BBS has been inciting hatred against religious minorities; resulting in intermittent attacks on churches, mosques and the occasional attack on businesses owned by Muslims . BBS monks have also been caught on video threatening violence against their moderate colleagues who advocate tolerance.
However, in the last few days, the situation appears to have escalated dramatically. The violence began after a speech by BBS Galagoda Atthe Gnanasara at a BBS rally in Aluthgama. Three Muslims youth's have been reported dead while many Muslim owned business institutions and houses were burnt down.
The Rajapakse Government constantly fails to keep the situation under control.