Hate speech

(Kishani Jayasinghe, singer who sung the song) Describing the way she sang ‘Danno Budunge’. Condemning a television station for using the term ‘belli’ (meaning bitch) to describe the way a woman sang ‘Danno budunge’ at the Independence Day ceremony, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he will be summoning the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority and the […]

The participation of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and visiting British Minister Hugo Swire at the Thai Pongal celebration in Jaffna is an indication of the special attention that is being given to the northern polity by the government. The top leaders of the government have been making frequent visits to the […]

The proposed anti-hate speech Bill currently on hold would be reintroduced with amendments, Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Karunarathna Paranawithana said. “The government has observed a surge of communally harmful sentiments in the recent past. The proposed law was put on hold after considering views expressed by the media and other civil […]

Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has written to the Government of Sri Lanka advising to that the Government withdraw the proposed amendment to the penal Code and substitute it with the relevant  provision of the  ICCPR Act of 2007. The letter sent by the HRC-SL  to the  PM  is given below: Hon. Prime Minister, […]

In a rather disturbing development well-known human rights lawyer J.C. Weliamuna has come forward to defend the government’s proposed hate speech law in the face of growing opposition to the draft law as a suppressive act. Issuing a joint statement group of concerned civil activists and organisations called on the government to withdraw the bill, […]

(Symbol  of anti-Muslim hate speech in Sri Lanka: BBS Gnanasara) We the under signed organizations and individuals are deeply concerned about two Bills tabled in Parliament on Friday, 11th December 2015 ostensibly to criminalize hate speech and the instigation of communal violence and disharmony. One such Bill tabled is an amendment to the Penal Code […]

( Muslim politician Asath Salley was arrested and detained under Section 2(1)(h) , now included in the bill) The Tamil National Alliance is deeply concerned about the proposed Penal Code (Amendment) Bill placed on the Order Paper of Parliament on 11 December 2015. The said Bill was placed on the Order Paper by the Minister […]

Ruki Fernando, A prominent human rights defender has written to Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka on imminent violation of his  rights guaranteed under article 14 (1) (a) of the constitution, through some provisions in the alleged two bills tabled by the Minister of Justice on 11 December 2015, to bring hate speech law. One […]

Two Bills to introduce anti-hate speech laws and criminalizing the instigation of communal violence and disharmony that were presented in Parliament  on 11th December has come under serious criticism by informed circles. The Ceylon Today reported that two bills in relation to hate speech were presented by the Media Minister Gayantha Karunatilake on 11th December. The […]

( Saving Sunil face book page)  ‘Saving Sunil – a study of dangerous speech around Facebook page dedicated to Sgt. Sunil Rathnayake’ continues the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) study of online discourse, particularly over social media, around dangerous and hate speech, following its first report on the subject ‘Liking Violence: A Study of Hate […]

The Government’s move to come down hard against purveyors of hate speech is most opportune given the increasingly strident forms the speeches made by both politicians and some members of Bhikkhu community, with communal undertones, have taken in recent times. Today minority bashing has become a fine art with certain politicians in the South so […]

Introduction to the report ‘Liking violence: A study of hate speech on Facebook in Sri Lanka’ By Sanjana Hattotuwa “Hate speech” on the Internet is a global concern and with no kill-switch solution. Depending on the location online, language and media used, context and sometimes even the nature of the actors concerned, dealing with hate […]

The National Shoora Council (NSC), has urged the authorities to conduct an impartial and transparent investigation into the complaint made to the Inspector General of Police by the Muslim theologian, Moulavi Mohamed Ameen Mohamed Ashkar Ali that he and two of his brothers were falsely implicated and remanded from June 12, 2014 on the allegation […]

Azath Salley Australian PM can witness peacefulness if he visits Darga Town – Salley Leader of the National Unity Front, Azath Salley today claimed that the government is afraid it will lose its voter base if the Pope visits the war-affected Northern Province, during his scheduled visit to Sri Lanka. The Central Provincial Council member […]

Heiner Bielefeldt GENEVA (2 July 2014) – Three United Nations experts on freedom of religion, minority issues, and summary executions today called on Sri Lanka to adopt urgent measures to stop the promotion of racial and faith-based hatred, and violence against Muslim and Christian communities by Buddhist groups with extremist views, and bring perpetrators of […]

Jumma Mosque In a fresh instance of vicious religious hatred unknown anti-Muslim elements have sent a warning letter and pieces of pork to a famous long standing Mosque in the heart of Colombo city. The historic Fort Jumma Mosque on Chatham Street was the latest target in the anti-Muslim wave currently engulfing the country. It […]

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday accused the government of planning to bring in special legislation to suppress social media networks. The BASL noted that the legislation, which could be brought as an emergency regulation and with provisions in the Penal Code, was an attempt to interfere with social media networks through which […]

The All Ceylon Hindu Congress (Federation of Hindu Religious Associations and Hindu Temples in Sri Lanka), has strongly condemned acts of communalism and religious hatred again being directed against minority religious groups and in particular the recent incidents affecting Muslims in Aluthgama and Beruwela areas. The ACHC has said, in a media statement, that no […]

Aluthgama after the riots If precautions are not taken to prevent religious tension and to bring perpetrators to book, the incidents of such nature will dampen the economy and social fabric of this country, says Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion Faiszer Musthapha. The Minister stresses that if the procession on 15 June had been prevented, […]

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka calls to immediately investigate the actions of all extremist groups and ban those who have been carrying out a campaign of hate, intimidation and violence against Muslims, Christians and other religious minorities.In a letter to the President, the Muslim Council said that recent incidents have heightened fears that violence […]

Graphic by Groundviews (AFP)Colombo — Sri Lanka’s Buddhist hierarchy and other religious leaders accused police Tuesday of failing to prosecute those behind a recent wave of attacks on Christians and Muslims.A multi-religious group led by Buddhist monks said the country had failed to grasp the threat posed by hate speech and attacks because local media […]

Sri Lanka’s women’s organization and a group of human rights activists had prepared to conduct a peaceful protest against the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), Hudson Samarasinghe , yesterday ( 02) in front of the SLBC premises and a group of thugs , who arrived at the location has attempted to  sabotage […]

AGAINST HATE: Disquiet has increased as a Buddhist group fanning anti-Muslim sentiments is allowed to get away lightly. APAGAINST HATE: Disquiet has increased as a Buddhist group fanning anti-Muslim sentiments is allowed to get away lightly. A series of incidents has created anxiety among the country’s minority Muslims that they are being targeted by a […]

“It is true we are racists. It is true we are religious fanatics. Yet, we are not the authors of racism and religious fanaticism in this country,” Dr. Omalpe Sobitha Thera, Leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said.“When racial and religious issues spring up, we too make emotional utterances. If we have committed any […]