The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka(MCSL) has announced its displeasure regarding a statement made by Minister of Justice, Wijedasa Rajapakse,  in parliament on Friday, that there is information that 32 Sri Lankans, belonging to four families, have joined the Islamic State (IS) movement in Syria. Issuing a statement, MCSL said the facts given by the Minister were reported in the media more than a year ago when a Sri Lankan combatant had died fighting with ISIS, and that there had been no new reports of any others being involved since then.

MCSL added the Muslim community, including the Muslim Council, Jamiathul Ulema and other organizations had cooperated with the government in identifying the families to provide the necessary support for the intelligence agencies to investigate.

N M Ameen, the President of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka,  pointed out that Minister Rajapakshe’s statement comes at a very opportune time to certain extremist elements bent on tarnishing the image of the Muslim community for reasons only best known to them.

The MCSL called upon the President to conduct a thorough investigation, punish all who may have violated the laws of the land. Ahamed, however, added that Lankan Muslims believe that the ISIS is a creation of the US and Israel to tarnish the image of Muslims.

In July this year, Indian media reported that two Keralites, Fathima (Nimisha) and Eeza (Bexon Vincent), the couple from Kerala who have supposedly joined the Islamic State, were in Sri Lanka for over two months before disappearing according to Indian media. 

According to Indian intelligence agencies, Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the preferred venues for Islamic studies, mainly for the Salafi sect committed to Wahabism. It is also an easy access destination for Indians as they can visit without major security concerns.