Minister Rajitha Senaratne today said that amendments will be made to the Penal code in the near future, that would introduce legal provisions through which strict action can be taken against those who engage in hate speech.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Senaratne speaking at the cabinet press briefing held this morning said it amendments were essential to ensure peaceful co-existence and political consensus, pointing to the anti-Muslim riots that erupted in Aluthgama last year due to hate speech propagated by extremist group Bodu Bala Sena.

The amendment has been submitted by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as part of the recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).