Ex-Leader of Jama’at-e-Islami arrested under PTA

Colombo (News 1st);  The Terrorist Investigations Division arrested a 60-year-old suspect from Dematagoda for promoting Wahhabism and Jihadist ideology in Sri Lanka.

Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said the suspect is the former leader of the Jama’at-e-Islami organization and is a relative of the suspects arrested for damaging a statue in Mawanella. He said the suspect was publishing articles in a magazine known as 'Al-Hassanath' published by the Jama’at-e-Islami organization to promote Wahhabism and Jihadist ideology in Sri Lanka.. The suspect was identified as Rasheed Hajjul Akbar from Muruthawela, Mawanella and was publishing articles on the said magazine to cause harm to traditional Muslims in Sri Lanka as well as to create rifts among Muslims in the country. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said the suspect will be detained on the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The suspect had worked towards causing harm to the unity between communities, said the Deputy Police Chief adding the TID will be conducting further investigations. In addition, the material he had published including audio and video tapes will be subject investigation, he added.