The IHRC calls upon the Pakistani and Sri Lankan authorities to protect the Muslim minority particularly the Pakistani asylum seekers who are at the receiving end of the violence and facing the imminent threat to their lives. The persecution and harassment against the Muslim community must be stopped by the state of Sri lank

We strongly condemn the brutal attack on the Christians minority on Easter day.The unprecedented Easter day attack targeting Sri Lankan Christian community has send shock waves across the world, with  the death toll climbing to nearly 253 the attack was reminiscent of the civil war that the country has come out of a decade ago the bombing also raised fears of a return to sectarian violence for the island.

the attack was claimed by the Islamist militant group ISIS that bolstered its claim by publishing images of attackers  pledging loyalty to ISIS. Following the statement a backlash against Muslim community ensued across Sri Lanka particularly in Colombo and Negombo cities where majority of the community lives.

There are reports of hundreds of Muslims fleeing the Negombo as communal tensions have since flared. The militants action have wreaked havoc for Sri Lankan Muslim minority particularly the asylum seekers from Pakistani Muslims , Hindus and Ahmadis who faced persecution back at home. After fleeing their homes in Pakistan over militant attacks and government persecution, hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims felt they finally found peace in Sri Lanka as they sought resettlement across the world. Many such people have been forced out by their Sri Lankan land lords who want nothing to do with them.

Those fleeing religious persecution and ostracization came to Sri Lanka with hopes of being at peace and to profess their religion without fear, hat all has changed on the fateful Easter day, manifesting the communal fracture line dividing communities on the basis of their religion.  

The Muslims are scared that the assault will bring both government and mob retaliation. Activists already say some Muslim youths have disappeared allegedly arrested by security forces. the Muslims in Sri Lanka are also coming under increasing threat of harassment, detention and persecution.

Muslims in some areas of Sri Lanka are facing a rising backlash. More than 2400 people are said to be displaced in the aftermath in Negambo alone, and it is feared that the persecution my spread to other regions of Sri Lanka

According to new reports hundreds of Pakistanis have fled Negombo crammed into buses organized by community leaders after threats of revenge. There are repots of local Sri Lankan people attacking the houses of Pakistani Muslims. The victims report gangs of Christian men moving from house to house, smashing windows, breaking down doors, dragging people into the streets, punching them in the face and then threatening to kill them. No deaths were reported, but many Muslims fear it is only a matter of time.

Since they look different and speak a different language the Pakistani refugees are easily discernible and thus are easy targets. These refugees are living in Sri Lanka as guests of the government while refugee agencies such as UNCHR sorts out longer-term resettlement plans.

Muslims community members have previously also been targeted in June 2014  mobs of young Buddhist men attacked a Muslim neighborhood in a southern town, burning down houses, killing at least three Muslims and sending fear into just about every Muslim household in Sri Lanka.

The persecution in the wake of the attack is lamentable and reproachable, the Pakistani and Sri Lankan authorities should act fast to protect the Muslim community in danger of mob attack and lynching. Thousands of people are living in fear of their lives each day and are afraid to go out in public fearing attack by Christian mob