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Govt. to get tough on those speaking against religions

30 May 2023 08:34 am - 23     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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- Govt. to bring in stronger laws against criticizing religions

- Existing laws not adequate to protect religious harmony

- Are attempts afoot to sweep Jerome Fernando’s case under carpet?

In the wake of the recent derogatory and inflammatory statements made by certain individuals against Buddhism and other religions, the Government is mulling enacting stronger laws to ensure that religious harmony is properly safeguarded and upheld in the country.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Minister said, “The existing laws in Sri Lanka are not adequate to prevent damage against religious harmony, and thus, new laws need to be enacted.”

“We as the Government must ensure that religious harmony and peace prevails in the country. In addition, we should also prevent any statement being made leading to communal conflicts or violence,” the Minister said.

He proceeded to say that despite the Constitution stipulating on the freedom of expression and adhering to any religion, no one can downgrade or insult any religion or religious leader.

He also stated that certain fractions had been insinuating to break harmony even prior to the Easter Sunday attacks, which is an easy way to disturb the peace and order of the country.

In that context, he emphasized that they have zero tolerance against individuals who disturb religious harmony and thus should take precautions to annihilate them in order to promote religious coexistence and maintaining peace.

During the last couple of months, there have been incidents where several individuals were arrested over making hate statements against religions. Starting from Sepal Amarasinghe who had insulted the sacred tooth relic at Dalada Maligawa, was arrested.

Then, Pastor Jerome Fernando, in a video insulted the Lord Buddha following which President Ranil Wickremesinghe had informed the CID Director to commence an immediate investigation against him. He is now facing a CID investigation over his hate comments against Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism.

However, in the case of Jerome, serious questions have been raised as to how the Pastor was allowed to leave the country and why the CID acted late in obtaining a travel ban on him from court. By the time the CID had obtained the ban, Jerome, who is said to have strong political connections had already left the country and to this day remains overseas with no mentioned date of his return.

After a few weeks, activist Natasha Edirisooriya, a stand-up comedian was arrested and remanded for making certain disrespectful remarks on Buddhism. On the heels of the incident, Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thero was also remanded for having made statements that could disrupt religious harmony.

Meanwhile, Police Spokesman SSP Thalduwa said there are certain laws and acts under the Penal Code and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to deal with such incidents.

“As such, the police will not tolerate such incidents and hence, will not hesitate to take strict action against them according to the existing laws,” he said.

The Police Spokesman also stated that certain remarks would have led to clashes and violence between religious groups resulting in chaos in the country.

Therefore, the police has requested people not to misuse the freedom of expression by making such disrespectful remarks on any religion. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Sheain Fernandopulle)


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  Comments - 23

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  • sam Tuesday, 30 May 2023 08:57 AM

    All religions should be safeguarded and respected.

    Hadam Tuesday, 30 May 2023 01:25 PM

    I agree but how can we have a decent debate about religion to find facts without looking into positives and negative? Its a double edge sword between free speach and insulting religions.

    Karalasingam Sivalingam Tuesday, 30 May 2023 09:20 AM

    Sri Lanka cannont afford another 83 riots. Harmony among religions and races paramount important. Those who distrub peace should be severely dealt with.

    Jude Tuesday, 30 May 2023 09:31 AM

    What about the politicians who BANKRUPT this country!??! Don't worry the voters will kick them out at the next Elections!! Yeah.

    Jude Tuesday, 30 May 2023 09:33 AM

    Government wants to distract and hoodwink the public by making it big issue. POLITICIANS wants to score some Brownie points!! Yeah.

    Sunil Tuesday, 30 May 2023 09:35 AM

    Religion is a very sensitive issue for any race. Please implement very tough laws asap rather it is too late.

    Jude Tuesday, 30 May 2023 09:42 AM

    There's no anti-religion in SL at the moment but government desperately wants to create one to cover-up government mishandling the economy and can't get out of the Economic crisis.

    Jude Tuesday, 30 May 2023 09:46 AM

    Few gold smuggling politicians GONNA finance RANIL'S upcoming presidential bid including the GOP at general elections!!

    Fahim Knight Tuesday, 30 May 2023 09:48 AM

    It is true Governments often encounter complex challenges when it comes to ensuring religious and racial harmony, and achieving a delicate balance in this regard. The strategies employed by different governments may vary depending on cultural, historical, and legal considerations. While safeguarding rights and fostering harmony among various religious and racial groups is crucial, the enactment of specific laws to address these matters is a multifaceted process. Governments must take into account factors like legal frameworks, societal consensus, and potential impacts on individual freedoms. Consequently, studying Singapore's legislation on maintaining racial and religious harmony can provide valuable insights. Singapore has implemented targeted laws, such as the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and the Sedition Act, to preserve religious and racial harmony. These laws establish a legal framework to tackle actions that undermine social cohesion and harmony. The legislative proces

    Fahim Knight Tuesday, 30 May 2023 09:53 AM

    It is true Governments often encounter complex challenges when it comes to ensuring religious and racial harmony, and achieving a delicate balance in this regard. The strategies employed by different governments may vary depending on cultural, historical, and legal considerations. While safeguarding rights and fostering harmony among various religious and racial groups is crucial, the enactment of specific laws to address these matters is a multifaceted process. Governments must take into account factors like legal frameworks, societal consensus, and potential impacts on individual freedoms. Consequently, studying Singapore's legislation on maintaining racial and religious harmony can provide valuable insights. Singapore has implemented targeted laws, such as the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and the Sedition Act, to preserve religious and racial harmony.

    joshua Tuesday, 30 May 2023 10:32 AM

    The government seems to have forgotten the racist deeds of Ganasara and other racist factions in this country. No use taking action against anybody before taking action against these biggest racists.

    Atheïst Tuesday, 30 May 2023 10:35 AM

    The happiest people in the world are living in secular Finland. Did karma bring me to this Taliban Sri Lanka? ;)

    kappa Tuesday, 30 May 2023 11:40 AM

    Finland also has a high suicide rate I wonder why

    BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 30 May 2023 12:16 PM

    @kappa it is because Finland has Doctor assisted suicide system for irreversible patients who get calculated in this category. Further Finland reveals and investigates each and every death properly. Over here where did you get that, even Thajudeen death is now closed while they are still digging to find who they can accuse for Shafter's.

    Imtias Tuesday, 30 May 2023 11:15 AM

    Why can't we have our faiths and religious practices personal and leave it within the walls of our homes. Why do we have to carry around and get offended by the drop of a word or joke. All religions started to save humanity and the same religion is destroying humanity.

    Mark Anandappa Tuesday, 30 May 2023 11:47 AM

    How about the politicians who incite hatred among all Nationalities

    L Jaya Tuesday, 30 May 2023 12:25 PM

    The reason incidences are well planned in order to divert attention from critical issues the country is facing. Creating disharmony easily flare up to unmanageable levels. The past events since 2018 are testimony to civil unrest and those who were benefited

    ROSH Tuesday, 30 May 2023 12:52 PM

    Please don’t fell on master debating unelected president trap , to creating nonexistent disharmony trap for election

    lester Tuesday, 30 May 2023 01:48 PM

    you cant hide the truth behind a religion. it was western religions that killed thousands of people in this country to spread their religion. lets forget all that and have harmony now.

    vithura Tuesday, 30 May 2023 02:38 PM

    Any act of aggression verbal or otherwise, by anybody under the pretext of religion, including buddhist monks or any other priests in any part of the country, must be made a crime punishable by longer imprisonment.

    Rohan De Silva Tuesday, 30 May 2023 03:00 PM

    I am fully supportive of Blasphemy laws in countries like Sri Lanka. The reason being any religious insult (perceived or actual) is enough to send marauding street mobs (and some instances encouraged by so called religious monks) on rampage burning and looting properties, and even harassing and harming people . We have seen that in Sri Lanka before many a times it is quite sad

    Andrew Silva Wednesday, 31 May 2023 07:24 AM

    There is nothing else to think in Sri Lanka except religion, the politicians have made this the most important and got the people to drink it may be every 6 hourly. Nothing else matters.

    Police making up lies for politicians purposes Wednesday, 31 May 2023 08:19 AM

    The insults done by the particular preacher, joker or commentator will have anger against them by certain over-sensitive members of the public, but that's it. There is no communal disharmoney. Just exaggeration, but certain Catholic leaders, few haven't got anything better to do Buddhist thera, and rabble-rousers. None of the so saying insulted complainers have much value to society in the long or short term. They are seeking attention, by way of exaggerated grievances. In a country without democracy, where elections are put off for convenience of politicians, and against the Constitutions, the so called toughness is more garbage, and really only cover up for the more serious real material problems. .


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