We the undersigned, leaders and members of civil society, Islamic and Muslim associations and movements, are horrified by the events of Easter Sunday – 21^st April 2019, which resulted in massive killing, destruction and attack on innocent lives. We express our deepest sympathies and sorrow and condemn in the strongest terms, the incidents, which are against all human and Islamic norms. This is grounded in the Noble Laws of Islam which forbid all forms of violence and aggression. Our hearts are profoundly troubled as we contend with the aftermath of this horrific act of violence and terror.

While strongly condemning the brutal and barbaric terror, we wish to categorically state that extremism in the name of Islam does not represent the religion. Vicious acts of terror and the sudden slaughter of innocent citizens living in peace is extremely distressing and deplorable. We are ashamed at the barbarism perpetrated in the name of Islam, which is a religion of peace and tolerance. We express unity with the victims’ relatives and will do whatever it takes to help the affected people. We wish again to state unequivocally that neither the National Thawheed Jamaath nor those that carried out the attack represent Islam or reflect Muslim beliefs and practice. Rather, groups like them have misused and abused Islam in order to fit their own radical and indeed anti-Islamic agenda and are criminal, misguided and counter to the true teachings of Islam.

As Sri Lankan Muslims, we wish to restate our conviction that peace and justice constitute the basic principles of the Muslim faith.  As Sri Lankan Muslims, we are united against all those who terrorize the innocent. Islam has declared the spilling of blood and the destruction of property as absolute prohibitions. We call upon the authorities to immediately apprehend the true perpetrators of these crimes, as well as those who aid and abet them through incitement, financing or other support. They must be brought to justice in a court of law and punished appropriately.

1. All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
2. National Shoora Council
3. Muslim Council of Sri Lanka
4. Memon Association of Sri Lanka
5. Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum
6. Sri Lanka Jama’athe Islami
7. Lanka Minaret
8. Quadiriyathun Nabaviyyah Thareeqah
9. Nabaviyyah Islamic Youth Organisation
10. Sri Lanka Muslim Womens’ Conference
11. Muslim Ladies Study Circle, Colombo
12. Young Muslim Women’s League
13. All Ceylon Union of Muslim Youth League Front