The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka has today written to the Secretary to the Ministry of Defense and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa urging the prohibition of hate speech to mainstream media and public gatherings.
“We also kindly request you to inquire in to the violence in Alutgama and Beruwela on the 15th and 16th of 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 of Sri Lanka said in the letter.
We publish below the letter in full;
June 29th 2014
Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa,
Secretary,
Ministry of Defense and Urban Development, 15/5, Baladaksha Mawatha,
Colombo.
Dear Sir,
The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka is thankful to you and welcomes your clear statement explicitly affirming that the government and law enforcement authorities would not tolerate hate speech or hate campaigns through social media. This is a long overdue and important action that needs to be strictly enforced with immediate effect. 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.
We also kindly urge you, Sir, to extend the prohibition of hate speech to mainstream media and public gatherings, so that all Sri Lankans of different ethnicities and religious beliefs can live as equal citizens of Sri Lanka. We also kindly request you to inquire in to the violence in Alutgama and Beruwela on the 15th and 16th of June 2014 and bring the instigators and perpetrators of violence to justice and ensure that the rule of law prevails equally for all.
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.
In the two days of violence that occurred in Aluthgama and Beruwela, the stability and investor confidence that was established was destroyed. 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.
We affirm our commitment to work with you and the government of Sri Lanka towards peace, stability and prosperity for all.
Thanking you, Yours sincerely,
Hilmy Ahamed
Vice President
Lapatiya / June 29, 2014
I just cannot understand what offence secretory has got to do with hate Speech’s. Why these people are appealing him to ban hate speech’s? They are asking from him just because he is Hon. President’s Brother or else are they thinking that he is protecting hate speakers? I am just under the impression that this subject belongs to President or Premier. (correct me if I am wrong) If they ask him about forced disappearances, White Van abductions, Media intimidation, unauthorized killings, Drug dealings, Ethanol Dealings, attacking peaceful protests they are perfectly correct as those are his field.
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Banda / June 29, 2014
Vice President of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, Hilmy Ahamed has conveniently forgotten that on 13th April 2013, secretary to Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath, Abdul Razik had deliberately made an unprovoked derogatory remarks on Buddha saying “The Buddha had eaten human flesh and ‘Triple Jem’ means just three stones at a meeting in Maligawatta. Razik did so when Muslims are just 10% what would be his sayings if Muslims are say 20%.
We request Secretary, Ministry of Defense look into under what circumstances the so-called ‘hate speech’ had been made without which investigations would be incomplete.
Razik did so knowingly over 70% of this country are Buddhists and the constitution compel the government to protect and foster Buddhism. Yet
Razik has got away with a mere apology at court. If such a statement was made by a Buddhist or a Christian in Pakistan, against PBHU Muhammad, that man/woman would have lost his head.
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JimSofty / June 29, 2014
Why don’t muslims address sinhala-buddhist fear of islamization of Sri Lanka ?
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Native Vedda / June 30, 2014
JimSofty
“Why don’t muslims address sinhala-buddhist fear of islamization of Sri Lanka ?”
Why don’t you address majority people’s fear of fascistic Sinhala/Buddhisisation of this island.
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guest / June 30, 2014
hi vedda,
you have missed the point.The majority is sinhala buddhist.sri lanka has been a sinhala buddhist country since 3rd century B.C up to now.
what fear are u talking about? Tamils & muslims should be grateful to majority sinhala buddhists for letting them live in the country. tamils have their motherland in india & muslims have their own muslim world in middle east. this is the only country the sinhala- buddhist have got. the problem is you people do not like to accept that
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Native Vedda / June 30, 2014
guest
“you have missed the point.”
Sorry I haven’t missed the point as you know I don’t have any.
“The majority is sinhala buddhist.sri lanka has been a sinhala buddhist country since 3rd century B.C up to now.”
here we go again.
“this is the only country the sinhala- buddhist have got.”
Sorry Sinhala/Buddhists have their own ancestral homeland in North and South India.
Why should the Sinhala/Buddhist be allowed have their own country whereas the Kurdish don’t have one though their population is over 30 Million spread over many countries. Give us one good reason as to why Sinhala/Buddhists should be allow to have their own country which originally belonged to my ancestors.
This land rightfully belong to my people. You are allowed to live here on long lease.
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JimSofty / June 29, 2014
Muslims are banned to take narcotics and drink Liquor. But, Sri Lankan muslims own the drug business.
Muslim women must cover the whole body. But, muslims own the fashion houses which make girls go naked.
In the past, even though muslims were banned to take liquor muslims were the major work force engaged in toddy tapping.
Don’t criticize muslims because that is hate speeches.
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Francis de costa / June 30, 2014
Recently UNESCO noticed that Sinhalese are over taking Tamils with there intelligency !!stupid comments like this repeat after me.
“I am really a huge idiot.”
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ron / June 30, 2014
jim sofly koheda yanne malle pol, does not make sense if i say 1000s of wrong things about sinhala budhist.
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guest / June 30, 2014
excellent analysis! thanks
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Muhunthan / June 30, 2014
I do not understand why Gota said ban hate speech on social media, why not on all media, including print and public procession. Seems that by doing so on banning on social media the government can deny any of the events that occur in public.
The question would be if the hate speech is banned there will never be video on social media in the first place. The current position he has taken is, it is alright to have hate speech in news prints and public procession.
How worse could this get; who is in control of the country Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse who is democratically elected or Gota who has perceived to the public he is control??
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BBS Rep / June 30, 2014
Look at the picture.
Hilmy Ahamad is right in trying to plead from the most powerful minority hater in Sri Lanka for peace. The legitimate president seems to be powerless to do anything other than tweet. However it will not work. Gota is the supreme instigator of communal violence in Sri Lanka. His heart and mind are bound to the rank and file within BBS.
By the way who is the white man in the picture. Many people believe that there are shadowy foreign anti muslim organisation funding BBS. How BBS goons were not made to follow procedure in obtaining visas to enter Norway and the US is mind boggling. If legitimate visitors were to apply for a visa for Norway and the US he or she will be made to go through many impossible hoops for the grant of a visa. Yet these blood thirsty minority haters were given visas without the slightest trepidation by the Norway and US authorities. What is more, when BBS came back they were awash with money.
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Jim softy / June 30, 2014
Quran is full of hate against Infidels and Kafirs. Quran says Kafirs and Infidels have no rights to live.
So, they are going to ban it too ?
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Jim softy / June 30, 2014
Not all muslims are extremists. Only a handful are extremists.
So get rid of the extremists.
It does not matter if it is another LTTE – like war.
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Dr Najimudeen / June 30, 2014
99.99% of the Sinhala Buddists are excellent people with rich culture and very good tolerance. They adhere to the noble Buddist philosophy and lead an exemplary life. They want peace and harmony among all the people. Only 0.01% the Sinhala Buddist behave badly and damage the image.
This 0.01% of fanatics and extremists are seen among all the religious group and create problems.
All the religions are to cultivate peace, love, kind and tranquillity. A true religion follower will never harm his brother of other religion.
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guest / June 30, 2014
….but harm the brothers of their own religion ! tha’s what happens in the muslim world
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Mallaiyuran / June 30, 2014
You are a hypocritical and liar. Could you rewrite again “99.99% of the Sinhala Buddhists are excellent people” with a proof of showing this statement is true. You look like a servant of the Muslims ministers that is why you are writing like them. This type of panthakaras virtually supporting the anti-minority governments by falsely praising and accepting them. If you think “99.99% of the Sinhala Buddhists are excellent people” can you explain how the country slipped form 1948 Parliamentary secular government to Anarchy Buddhist government?
Like every democracies Lanka was also controlled by the swing voters, in those days when it was a democracy. Unlike western swing voters, who are middle class and always look for more chances for educations and jobs, made sure their governments not being hijacked by plutocrats and elites, Lankan swings voters are Mahavamsa Modayas. They do not know to vote. Further, people like you, the panthakarayas, supported only the ones who carried the flags. Never had back bone to say the truth, because the fear of losing their bogus status. because of people like you and Mahavamsa Modayas the democracy is not suitable for Lanka. Real democracies need strong oppositions to guide the path of the government. Britain has to come back and rule these people, or Tamils has to go separate so the “Mahavamsa Modaya Technique” will not work at elections; the Sinhala middle class can ask for jobs and education and other welfare in the elections.
Don’t be an opportunistic panthakara. That did not work for Muslims ministers so far. Accept these mistake and think about the street peddler left in the roads without protection. They are not doctors and Lawyers. Don’t try to save the property you and few has already made. Try save the entire community as whole, even the street peddler. Change the method.
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Rabok / June 30, 2014
Hate speech from any donkey should be banned – and punished severely
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laankikiya / June 30, 2014
Now Bhuddist are fear that very soon that they will become minority in the country.
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Native Vedda / June 30, 2014
laankikiya
“Now Bhuddist are fear that very soon that they will become minority in the country.”
The Sinhala/Buddhists have been fearing lot of thing. It is their own problem. We cannot help them to cure their paranoia.
They perceive perils everywhere except themselves.
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guest / June 30, 2014
‘Why don’t you address majority people’s fear of fascistic Sinhala/Buddhisisation of this island’.
mr vedda, Srilanka has been a sinhala buddhist country since 3rd century B.c up to now. tamils & muslimd should be greateful to sinhalese for letting them live in srilanka. tamils have their homeland in india & muslims have theirs’ in muslim world .. the problem is that u people do not like to accept that srilanka is a country with sinhala buddhist culture
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Native Vedda / June 30, 2014
guest
“mr vedda, Srilanka has been a sinhala buddhist country since 3rd century B.c up to now.”
Who says so?
My ancestors tol Kallathonies from North and South India “be our guest”. It was unfortunate that we didn’t expect you both kallathonies to take over our ancestral land.
“tamils & muslimd should be greateful to sinhalese for letting them live in srilanka.”
There was no country called Sri Lanka until 1972. Sinhala/Buddhists, Tamils, Muslims and others should be grateful to my people as this island once belonged to my ancestors.
“tamils have their homeland in india & muslims have theirs’ in muslim world . “
I agree Tamils have home land in South India. So have you in North and South India. Most of the Muslims arrived here from South India and not from Muslim world. The Sinhala/Buddhists have homeland in Tamilnadu and Bihar.
“the problem is that u people do not like to accept that srilanka is a country with sinhala buddhist culture”
I have no idea about “sinhala buddhist culture” and would be grateful if you would explain to me what it is.
Finally don’t entertain the idea that this island belongs to Sinhala/Buddhists.
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Marwan / June 30, 2014
Where were the BBS fagots in support of the Mahanayake’s request to stop the motor racing in Kandy, which was held in close vicinity to their Dalada Temple. Going by what they stand for, they should have been the first to jump and shout in support of their Mahanayakes. Bloody hoodlums.
Now that Gandhassara has been banned from entering the US, he must also be banned from flying anywhere as a leader of a terrorist movement. He must also be brought to justice. Our souls and all the souls of those innocent Muslims affected by his instigation, will not rest in peace until he is brought to justice.
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ela kolla / July 1, 2014
why don’t they ban muslim prayer screaming sessions as a start?
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