Thursday, 1st July 2014
The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) has welcomed Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s assertion to take stern action against spreading religious intolerance through social media.
The MCSL said the Defence Secretary’s clear statement explicitly affirming that the Government and law enforcement authorities would not tolerate hate speech or hate campaigns through social media, is long overdue and important action that needs to be strictly enforced with immediate effect.
Secretary Rajapaksa Saturday ordered the authorities to take stern action against individuals who are inciting racial and religious hatred using social media.
ACUMLYF condemns Aluthgama violence; urges for enforcement of lawThe All Ceylon Union of Muslim League Youth Fronts (ACUMLYF) in a statement yesterday said it was deeply shocked and concerned by the recent acts of violence unleashed against the innocent people, mostly Muslims of Beruwala, Aluthgama, Dharga Town and adjacent areas. It strongly condemns the brutality and carnage set upon these people, which resulted in several fatalities with injuries as well as attacks on homes, businesses and mosques. |
“Your timely action will send a clear message to all Sri Lankans and the international community that you will not tolerate targeting of minorities in the country,” MCSL Vice President Hilmy Ahamed said in a letter to the Defence Secretary which was published in Colombo Telegraph.
“This important statement of yours confirms your commitment to ensure that Sri Lanka does not slide back to the violent past that gripped the country during the 30 years of ethnic conflict and terrorism. This also sends a clear message to the peace loving Buddhists who are the silent majority that you do not condone racism and have no role in the hate campaign. It will encourage all peace loving citizens to condemn intolerance and violence,” the Muslim Council wrote to the Defence Secretary.
The Council urged the Defence Secretary to also extend the prohibition of hate speech to mainstream media and public gatherings.
Authorities have alleged that rumours and false information are being spread through text messages and anti-Muslim and anti-Buddhist Facebook accounts raising inflammatory sentiments to destabilise the country.
The MCSL requested the Defence Secretary to inquire in to the violence in Aluthgama and Beruwala on 15 and 16 June 2014 and bring the instigators and perpetrators of violence to justice and ensure that the rule of law prevails equally for all.
The Muslim Council pointed out that the two days of violence that occurred in Aluthgama and Beruwala destroyed the stability and investor confidence that has been established.
“We, as Sri Lankans need to work together to ensure that violence of any form will never be repeated, and support rebuilding the image of Sri Lanka as a peaceful, stable, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation,” the Muslim Council said.
