<span style="color: #222222;">In Sri Lanka, two of the Muslim ministers who resigned en masse earlier this month, have been reappointed to their previous posts. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Kabir Hashim and MHA Haleem, belonging to United National Party (UNP) were sworn-in as ministers before President Maithripala Sirisena. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Nine Muslim ministers including the cabinet, state and deputy ministers had resigned from their portfolios on 3rd of this month citing the government's failure to ensure the safety of Muslims following Easter Sunday attacks. There was pressure from within the government and UNP to bring them back.<br />'' <br />'' In a related development, Finance Minister Mangala Samarweera has come down heavily on a statement by Buddhist clergy to boycott Muslims shops and businesses. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">His reaction came in response to a chief prelate calling for the stoning of Muslims and urging Sinhala Buddhists to refrain from frequenting Muslim-owned shops and consuming food offered by Muslims. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Hate messages against Muslims are on the rise after Easter Sunday attacks which killed more than 250 people including 45 foreigners.     </span>