COLOMBO: The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka which last week denounced the Islamic State (IS) as a terrorist outfit, has called upon Sri Lankan authorities to observe extreme vigilance in order to ensure that Sri Lanka is not infiltrated by any terror group.

Expressing concern over the recent announcement by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on the formation of the Indian branch of his global armed group to spread Islamic rue and ‘raise the flag of jihad’ across the subcontinent, the Muslim Council Vice-President Hilmy Ahamed said in a statement the authorities should ensure that every step was taken to thwart any form of infiltration into Sri Lanka by any extremist, religious or ideological groups that spread terror.

“We have witnessed the terror and destruction that have been caused to our partners in Saarc, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the destruction the Islamic State is causing towards world peace. Therefore the presence of such violent groups should not be allowed at any cost in Sri Lanka or any of our neighbour countries,” the statement said.

Mr Ahamed has asserted that no space for any form of extremism or terrorism should be allowed in Sri Lanka.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2014