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).
Jango / April 3, 2015
Better late than never!
Can’t they make it retroactive and bust those BBS goons?
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Amarasiri / April 3, 2015
Minister Rajitha Senaratne,
RE:Laws To Ban Hate Speech
Yes. Thank you, Sir. That is the right thing to do for Good Governance and a Civilized Society. Why?
“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.”
Make it two levels.
Level 1. Hate Speech that Causes minor incidents.
Level 2. Hate Speech that Causes Major incidents.
In both cases make them financially responsible as well for damages.
1. Why is it that somebody cannot throw a rock, shoot and damage property, and it is crime? Because it causes property damage.
2. Why is it that somebody cannot throw a rock, shoot and cause bodily injury or kill and it is crime? Because it causes bodily injury and killing.
3. If Hate Speech results in 1 and 2 above, it should be a crime. It is the same as providing material support for the criminals.
So, BBS and Ganasara, if their activities caused by their agents results in property damage and bodily injury, they should be accused for aiding those who committed the crime, and should be equally culpable.
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John / April 4, 2015
South Africa under Mandela on dismantling the evil apartheid, wrote this into Law over 20 years ago – even for using the derogatory reference to black citizens as ‘Kaffir’
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sama / April 3, 2015
Not only “Hate Speeches of the kind of most aggressive monk of the Island – if he is a buddhist monk-Ghanasara” but also any kind of uncivilized public speeches should be banned. Wimal Buruwanse should be taught to address a public gathering in a civilized way. That can then help the youth to learn from them. The manner Wimal Buruwanse and SB Disanayake should be trained to be civlized before public gatherings. Many of us are aware these both how they attacked current Prez -MY3 before the election.
Ayyo Sirisena, Ko me Sirisena, Ko me Penda etc were the sinhalese terms that were publicly used to attack the gentleman. Not only politicians any citizen should be faced that kind personal attacked pvt or publicly. If this was the case in Germany or any other western country, the mentioned both should have to face jail court cases. Not forgetting the manner SB as former minister of higher education attacked former Prez CBK to the manner as nobody would do. That is not a secret the way he did that.
All authorities should focus all these when bringing new laws. If anyone would have been attacked by the bad words – asshole in public Germans could go to courts.
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Native Vedda / April 4, 2015
sama
“Not only “Hate Speeches of the kind of most aggressive monk of the Island – if he is a buddhist monk-Ghanasara” but also any kind of uncivilized public speeches should be banned.”
Don’t you think this island also needs laws to ban war crime denial?
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Alahakoon / April 4, 2015
Country needs new laws to prevent/minimise any violent act or offend based on racial hatred. I believe US have lot of good anti racial laws as samples to learn, lot of those introduced recently like 1980s…
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maali karunaratne / April 4, 2015
I think Singapore has good laws on hate speech and also on promoting extremism and racial and religious hatred. Pres of Singapore did not want Singapore to become another post 1956 Sri Lanka
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gamini / April 4, 2015
Native I totally agree,
Deliberate or planned Crime denial of War or otherwise should also be a crime punishable under the Constitution. Why exempt Liars from punishment?
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gigurawa / April 5, 2015
Sama, you cant join two words in English. So how come that you learned about german laws. This is not germany. TAhis is Sri Lnka with a great Buddhist civilsation of 2500n years. Rev Gnanasara , whether you like it or not speaks of the inner feelings of the ordinary peace loving sinahalese.
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Diebutterfly / April 5, 2015
Yes, very peace loving: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27864716
There are plenty of truly peace loving Sinhalese Buddhists but the “venerable” Gnanasara, his followers and supporters are exceedingly poor examples. How shameful to hide behind the wonderful example of Buddha and Buddhism when in reality you have strayed so far from the middle path it has become the horizon line- a beautiful place you will never reach. Exactly where in Buddhist scripture does it advocate violence and criminal acts? His rhetoric and methods are foul and a total disgrace to the principles he allegedly adheres to. What an utter scumbag.
Our country needs hate speech laws the way Indian men need chastity belts. That is very much and hopefully iron-clad.
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Kumar / April 5, 2015
Very good move even though it is too late.
I read on the other thread that the Police had used water cannons on these STUPID Monks. That is not enough, they should be baton charged and put in jail.
Like what Sir John said, just apply TAR on their heads and kick their butts until the shoe get stuck in their A/holes.
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Leelawathie / April 5, 2015
Rev Ghansasa ? If he is to be prefixed as Reverend – we ll have to change the words when addressing the executionists (hang man). Ghansara the aggressive man in Robes should be forced to derobe. Then only we the real buddhists in this island can feel that justice prevails.
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Sun / April 5, 2015
Ask him to take some medicine and get back to serve the nation. Have not your listend to speeches. Ghanasara is not a gentle kind of buddhist – he is a curse for the lanken SANGA community. What has not he done sofar ? Once drove on the highway injuring two innocient ones. Did you the deaf listen to him there ? Man – you must not be that stupid if you really want to support the lanken buddhists.
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Sun / April 5, 2015
Ask you Reverend Ghanasara not to forget the muzzle next. Else, he would learn to behave within the law amds being introduced soon.
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Goraka / April 7, 2015
Gigurawa said, “This is Sri Lanka with a great Buddhist civilsation of 2500n years. Rev Gnanasara , whether you like it or not speaks of the inner feelings of the ordinary peace loving sinahalese.”
If Rev. Gnanasara reflects the ordinary Sinhalese inner feeling and this is the great Buddhist civilisation, I don’t want to be a part of this “great” civilisation.
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Seelawathi / April 3, 2015
Like the case for UK, Germany and several other countries, Politicians too should be instructed by laws to behave civilize in public speeches – can bring this country a civlizeed among the developing nations. Srilankens deserve to earn that levels, when considering the higher social indicators similar to some developed countries.
All these should be taught from the Kindergarten on – else people would not learn it… to keep and leave the places clean etc should be part of the curricular being introduced to the schools.
As one of the monks took part to SATANA programme said – on the west, even if you eat a toffee, you would not leave the wrapping anywhre you like, you just search a bin to throw it away while our people would never ever even think of that…. just after eating a banana, similar to the monkeys, they just leave it on teh place. All these should change at least now – then only people could belong to civilized nature.
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Analyst / April 4, 2015
Seelawathi. You’re spot on. Like a politician saying another politician a liar. that is very uncivilised for a politician how ever one is educated the mannerism should not be forgotten whether they’re from the gutter or born with the silver spoon.
These etiquettes should go hand in hand when one speaking to a servant or a politician.thats why we choose a leader to lead a country.
We can look back and compare the last regime on the international arena. They behaved worse than street thugs internationally. It was a disgrace to a country trying to portray as a Buddhist country with tolerance peacefullness and understanding of sufferings. Any way these so called leaders of Srilanka are not real Buddhist but converted from Christianity to fool the Modayas.
What happened was just the extreme hate .
Hate campaigns can only destroy a country.
The Modayas will never realise.
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Seelawathi / April 4, 2015
Yes, I remember one regular tourist was rejected just because Buddha statue was tattoed on her/his upper arm. This had been criticised by entire world CALLING that the previous regime was against tourists of varied kind. However, what I know is- those tatooed men and women are intoxicated of buddha than the average buddhist in Srilanka. All these happen, our former rulers did not listen to anyone but made every effort to impelement what they thought was right.
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gigurawa / April 4, 2015
Seelawathie. Why do you come out in your real identity.
If you go to your venerated place in soudi arabia or pakistan you will be given 30 public lashes or stoned to death if you say anything inadvertently about Islam.
You can say what you like only because this is country with a buddhist civilisation.
It is not the former rulers. It was the christian colonial rulers who discriminated agaist buddhists and converted some to christianity.
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Seelawathi / April 4, 2015
This is the nature of frogs in wells. You guys would never learn. If anyone would bring anything against Buruwanse and the like IRCs that have been on a hate mongering mode, you react so explosively even dare to put us all in the bin of muslims. I am a born buddhist. I will stay as a budDhist but I would never respect Ghanasara or the like extremists that are on aggressive agendas being against the majority of silent buddhist folks in the country. No intimindations of your kind work on us – WE WILL FIGHT UNTIL THE MAN IN RED ROBES BE PUNISHED IN THE NEAR FUTURE: I really dont know the way his speeches almost destroyed Beruwala and other people across the nation. Most of the silent are the real buddhists that respect only non-violence is the way in wonderful philosophy.
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gigurawa / April 5, 2015
You do not have the courage to come out with your true identity. Please answer my question. Do muslims when they are a majority respect other religions. Muslims do not want to asimilate into the society at large. Muslims can’t have the cake as well as it. Choice is yours.
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yasin / April 5, 2015
Gigurawa, I hope you are a human being with reasonable intelligence.
All human beings, irrespective of their faith, are conceived and born naturally, like you, and are brought up in a human environment. Faith to the teachings of anyone creeps into our system soon after we are born.
Then comes the time of education and adulthood where one can see, hear and feel their surroundings with a broader frame of mind. The God that we seek lives within us. We are the living Gods who can make decisions for our selves and for others. Everything else is created by man for survival and to guide mankind in the right path without let or hindrance to the fellow human being or animal.
The true meaning of the faiths have lost it’s way soon after it’s origin as the human being, by nature, is ambitious and greedy.
All faiths are comparable and Islam, like the Buddhist Philosophy, is one of the faiths that teaches peace (Islam mean peace) and compassion.
Live and let live.
Instead of arriving at a conclusion due to the act of some irresponsible individuals try to study the situation before you would use vitriolic words to express your self. Self examine yourself first and when you have passed this self examination you will be able to see a clearer picture. and when you do, express your self responsibly.
This advice is for you and many others you uses this public forum for irresponsible expression in writing.
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Kumar / April 5, 2015
Gigurawa,
From where did you learn Ingireesy? Night school I presume.
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Sun / April 5, 2015
Who is this Girawa ? (parrot)
Who are you to ask any commentator to come out in their real IDs ? I have not heard the name in srilanka – anyway, I left the country 25 years ago. Today there are estranged sinhala names coming up. I think whoever she is – telling the truth actually. I also agree with all what many of the commentators (Sama, Seelawathi and others) we must have rigorous laws against any kind of aggressive public speeches. Ghanasara should be someone with a miserable childhood to behave in that way publicly. I wonder why the previous regime just ignored his provocative activities.
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Sun / April 6, 2015
I am a person who travels a lot within EU and non-Eu COUNTRIES as well. But I have not seen any passengers being rejected by any of the countries in the region. Srilanka was once known a paradise of the Germans and other Europeans. But since the day MR took power – only in such areas he showed a sort of rigourousness while further looting the people s funds as no other leader did – if laws are introduced and steps are taken against – there should be a consistency. No, the man has reacted as a bull of unique kind tranishing the image the island nation earned for the decades. Now Google will bring all the info about srilanka – with much of the hartred storieng being mapped against the Rajaakshes. It is just because there was no foregin policy for them, but it was a made business for their survival. Now issues related to Ukraine and Russia becoming clear with particular Udayayanga Weerathunga or the ones related to former prez how such henchmen had been in the field. All these reveraberate on Rajaapkshe today, regardless of the blind underground work being carried out by HIS MEN – Buruwanse et al. The day Rajaakshes are kept in prison for rest of life… the day of start of Reconciliation. Even if I have commited crimes I should go to jail. That is what my 90 year old father repeat. He would love to see – a country that respect basic rights and dignity of life for lankens before taking his last breath. I hope the current men in power would bring it a reality. I am proud of MY3 et al, even if there are some barriers being seen on their way – with their golden targets of making every effort to getting the AMD passed for the future of this nation. Unlike in europe , it is not easy to get them passed in lanken parliament which is filled with varied radical constitutent party representatives. From penisless senior leftists, rapists, multi crimes doers and every one is there in the coalition maintained by Rajaakshe – heterogenity in the worst form is seen there.
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MOHAMED MARZOOK / April 4, 2015
Also the example set in countries like the UK, USA, Germany, etc. in which one who seeks to become a local Councilor or a MP has to go through a series of process over a number of years beginning from being an ordinary member of the party and work his way up should be introduced in Sri Lanka too. It is such measures that will prevent Buruwanses, Sexburuwas, Marasilvas, etc. coming into politics and corrupt the beautiful Sri Lanka’s environment.
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gigurawa / April 5, 2015
This is not true of USA, even then who cares about USA or Germany. We should be following the example set by Pakistan , Bangladesh, Sudi Arabia , Iran, Iraq where true sharia law prevails
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Binaramali Hathurusinghe / April 5, 2015
You maY BE RIGHT here… But do you think previous regime introduced any steps to protect his people – since the war is ended ? Eleminiation of terror was a collective task thought Rajapakshes ate the cake not giving to ones who really deserved it. Alone celebrations of LTTE defeat to do in that way did not fit for a predominantly buddhist nation. Besides, we had good old days we respected buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and others almost equally. Going back to my school days – 80ties or before that I thought we had a society that respect law and order, religions and people multiple times better than we see it today.
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Leel / April 4, 2015
MR speech made at Madamulana just after reaching there after election defeat could have been considered as a very serious hate speech.
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Supun Jayawardhane / April 4, 2015
Best thing is to order a muzzle if the law and order has no provision to control pseudo monk, estranged politicians like SB and Buruwanse. In Germany, many of the regional govts have introduced the laws in terms of dogs and their owners. if you have fierce dogs – in order to avoid them harm the innocient people, they have legalized those dogs to wear a muzzle some year ago. The very step is one of the precautionary actions against lanken pseudo monks like Ghanasara and politicians like SB. By rigorous laws you can bring anyone into sense is clear ot us living on the west – looking at the manner Germans, French and English police do their job to the word.
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Samua Bandara / April 4, 2015
TV channels should hold open debate on the topic. Hate mongering by monks or anyone should be banned though MR thugs let it grown for their political survivial. In such discussions people will agree with any rigorous laws being imposed against the speeches of Ghaanasara the like: That will then become a lession Gahanasara to see it right, or authoriteis should put him in jail rehabilitating him. His testesterone are unique to him may be the guy is XYY – SIMILAR to that of high criminals kept in Guanthanabe prison. Most of the kind of aggressive men loose their control in public and pvt- thanks god Ghanasara is not layman – and a married person. Had he been married, how he would have got on with his close ones – is not even thinkable. Brutal monks of this kind are born to abuse the sanga and buddhist community.
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Samuel Jayaweera / April 4, 2015
The day Ghanasara is SEEN [Edited out]- no sinn we get calling him the way he speaks even today (he is not a monk but an aggresive psychopath in lanken public arena), the day people of this country would feel that Justice is given to those victims of him for the last few years – until then nothing will bring to sensing the people. People are silent but they have feelings against those abuse lanken buddhism today. Be it in SAFRON robes or without they have been doing this. MR regime allowed even that kind of crminals to get bred. I am so happy the way that the current regime take on the great issue… not leaving any space them to go against. Only this way we can see people becoming civlized on this beautififul island.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / April 3, 2015
A murderer usually kills one and rarely a few. The punishment whe proven is a death sentence, commuted regularly into a life sentence. But those who instigate and participate in hate crimes, commit irreparable dame to communities and the society as a whole, should face capital punishment and confiscation all assets, Sri Lanka has paid a heavy price for turning a blind to hate crime and even encouraging it.
However, what a hate crime is, should be defined precisely, lest it be misused to punish those who protest nonviolently against injustice, in a communal or social context context.
A very welcome and much overdue initiative
.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Vibhushana / April 4, 2015
You sound somewhat worried there. I know your concern.
However, just like the TNA, BBS also claims to be protesting nonviolently against injustice, in a communal or social context context.
Although both are inciting racial hatred one way or the other isn’t it really? So what good for the goose should be equally good for the gander too.
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gigurawa / April 4, 2015
Dr Nrendran
first to be tried will be your currently elected leader wigneshwaran.
You Dr Nrendran can lie through your teeth.
What about prabakaran your dead leader. did he not attack the most scared places to buddhists- dalada maligawa and sacred bbBo=tree. Please apologise the sinhalese and Buddhists on behalf ot your ilk . Then only we can engage in any meaningful discussion or debate on racial and religious harmony.peace and racial harmony.
Physician heal thysel!
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Peace Lover / April 4, 2015
@Gigurawa
your talking like a modaya mate…..where on earth did Wigneshwaran the CM make a hate speech,please can you show reference to it ,if not please shut up as your making yourself a fool
as for that terra chief Prabakaran he is dead but BBS fellows are around and there is ample proof when they made hate speech so they should be tried and punished
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gigurawa / April 5, 2015
First admit that the muslims in Beruwala harassed the buddhist monks and assaulted him just outside the temple. They threw dead cxarcasses over the temple wall in to the compound. The local sinhalese were pushed to the limit by acts of hate and intimidation by muslims. The priest and the locals made severe complaints to police,. Plice did not take any action due to interference by muslim politicians who Iam sad to say switch their political allegiance at thev drop of a hat.
Local buddhists were the victims and they erupted in desperation.
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Kumar / April 5, 2015
You gigurawa can lie through your teeth.
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Goraka / April 7, 2015
Gigurawa, where the hell did you learn your English. It’s terrible.
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Justice & Fairplay / April 3, 2015
The mere fact that the person shown in the picture has shut up his racially provocative vitriolic abuse and misplaced nationalism says much for the new political culture that is being introduced.
The present ‘silence’ also speaks revealingly of the political culture that prevailed before January 2015.
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Aia / April 3, 2015
A world of good will be done in the ethnic harmony of SL, if this Gnana wild boar stopped from masquerading as a human breed.
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Shamil / April 3, 2015
Mahinda and Gomasara [Edited out]
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muslim / April 3, 2015
The government steering the country on the RIGHT and STRONG DIRECTION,that s the way to go fearlessly.
Confidence building decision for the masses who voted this government to power.
All crooks religious or otherwise must be nipped in the bud.
HATS OFF TO A STRONG DECISION MADE.
Now the people are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
The people voted this government to power because they have ,had enough of the Jarrapassa family rule.
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Paul / April 3, 2015
To have a law like this is easy. To implement it with the rotten, corrupt society that we have, will be very difficult.
There must be the political will for it to succeed. It must not be mere window dressing to placate the masses and fulfill the 100 day program. This political will must come from the very top and the President must see it through.
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Heretic / April 3, 2015
CT,
What is your reaction? Any changes in what you allow us to write?
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Yasin / April 3, 2015
Something that should have been done when the constitution was first formulated following the independence in 1948.
Buddhism in Sri Lanka is big business and being a monk brings in many benefits
by the government and the society at large and due to this there are more monks now than in the past. Buddhist Monks, instead of being the disciples of their faith have dabbled in politics and have taken an active role in a sector which is far from their actual role as monks. There is a saying that politics and religion don’t mix and in Sri Lanka it is true to the saying. Buddhism and all other religions must be monitored and controlled so that they don’t create a situation that would clash with other faiths while at the same time freedom to practice their faiths must not be hindred.
The religious fraternity are welcome to enter politics provided they give up their religious attire and enter the field as civilians and also on condition that they will not bring up discussions of their faith in public.
BBS has forcibly taken up themselves the extreme role of being the sole saviors of Buddhism and have ridiculed, disgraced and discredited all other
monks and incumbant heads of the different nikayas because of the veiled powers vested in them by the MR govt and giving the gutter mouthed Gnanassara a free hand to practice Sinhala Buddhist extremism and thuggerism. MR and his blind cohorts have paid dearly for this in their electoral referendum held on Jan.8.
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salmajunaideen / April 4, 2015
Thanks to BBS, MR lost the elections. Didn’t MR think that he will loose votes the way BBS was behaving. I cannot believe that long time politician like MR didn’t realise that he should not tolerate BBS.
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whywhy / April 4, 2015
MR is a foolishly clever politician.His calculation
was to win only with racist votes with the support
of Gnanasara campaign.His Srilanka has only 5.8
million population! A small world he was living in!
If corruption and bribery punished, his 5.8 million
will shrink further, even to half a million.
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gigurawa / April 4, 2015
You will be the forst to be prosecuted if a law is enacted for religious intolerance.
What about your mullas. Are they not engaged in religious hatred espcially in the west and middle east. what about the ayatollah declaring war against other religions Sharia law ?.
Final word- mind your own business. We can look after buddha sasana without advice from people like you .
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Solon / April 4, 2015
Gi-Buruwa
You have recently floated into this forum from under Gnanasara’s redda. You will be the first to be prosecuted and jailed under hate speech legislation. Believe it.
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Supun Jayawardhane / April 6, 2015
Solon @,
for Giraw et al, anyone would go against MR, BBS thugs, we are branded as proxy Muslims as if BBS are srilanken buddhist representatives. BBS is led by a barbaric monk whose aggressions are known to almost every house hold but not to Girawa et al. Yes, surely, he should have been hidden somewhere and now waken up for some reasons. Without studying any facts only he adds his 2cts worth to this forum. I doubt how many of the lankens would at all support GHANASARA and his hate mongering. For testesterone excess he should do something else, but not harming lanken buddhism. Gone were the days actually we have real good kind of buddhist sanga in average. I have wonderful memoreis from our Daham School – going back to 4 decades ago inthe country. To that time, not only Sanga but politicians were nobel. I still remember Dr. Dahanayake and his politics then. Today, we can hardly find the kind of men in lanken politics. Police was also respectful..We the many were compelled to use CIVILIZED sinhala spoken langauge. Today, they the meeharak have added new terms whose meanings are not clear to me actually.. can anybody add me the real meanings of the followings
a) Elakiri – or meekiri ?
b) Mala paninanwa – I thought this meant to go to toilet.
c) Babahukun – this sound like foul langague but being used by so many people as I got it last November
University Dons should play a greater role civlizing the nation. Just let it go mentality should be changed if we all want to see a civlized society. If we make it only our future generations would learn it. MR thugs have worsened the situation. But time has come everyone to do their own towards the progress of a civilized lanka
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Jagath Fernando / April 3, 2015
Bloody good.
BBS buffaloes can be caged.
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Native Vedda / April 4, 2015
Jagath Fernando
How do you propose to ban what a closet racist is thinking(?) in his head?
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gigurawa / April 4, 2015
the law to silence trators of this nation like some in the catholic church who openly supported the ltte will be enacted first.
Remember, the newspaper called Leader and its campaign throughout the war to discredit the armed forces. who was funding them. you being a catholic should know
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Native Vedda / April 4, 2015
gigurawa
Don’t forget the Sinhala/Buddhists monks who supported terrorist outfit JVP and the one who assassinated SWRD Banda. There have been many bigoted monks who took to politics and benefited from it.
Please refer to the link below in case forgotten all about JVP and state terrorism:
Haunting memories of the JVP that linger
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20040321/spotlight.htm
Double standards and hypocrisy do not help to discover truth.
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whywhy / April 4, 2015
What will happen to “gnanasara” dictionary?
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m hashim / April 3, 2015
Arrest or give capital punishment confiscate all assets investigate all those who r behind this nasty racist act and ban the individual or party for life of any political activity. this country paid d price for turning a blind eye for this satanic act.there by all communities can live in harmony without the major or minor race in this country respecting each other.
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Leon / April 3, 2015
” Hate speech” must be cleared defined, so as not to prohibit and prevent freedom of speech.
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Sylvia Haik / April 4, 2015
I agree. The word “Hate” is a subjective description and a clever lawyer would let the likes of Gnanasara of BBS get away with his Hate Speeches. As in UK and elsewhere, we need a law criminalising “Incitement to Hatred” that covers racial, religious and others easily defined.
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maali karunaratne / April 3, 2015
Banning hate speech is not synonymous to banning hate speech of BBS chief only, though in the recent past he was responsible for many and the media institutions gave prominence to his hate speeches.
This law would apply to all who pours venom against ethnicities, religions and even caste.
But I do hope that this law is wide enough to include all kinds of hate speeches and also I am also of the same opinion as Dr. Rajasingham “However, what a hate crime is, should be defined precisely, lest it be misused to punish those who protest nonviolently against injustice, in a communal or social context context.”
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Peace Lover / April 3, 2015
A good move but will the Govt have the backbone to go ahead with it?
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dcn / April 3, 2015
This legislation was long awaited and very welcome. We have to stop these people who create hatred for their living.
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Ebahtog / April 3, 2015
What a brilliant idea. Who ever initiated this should be rewarded. However, hate speech should be very clearly defined without any ambiguity and should be made a criminal offense. The amendments to the penal code should be directed towards people in position of authority who could instigate violence with such speech.The Police and legal officers will always find something to get these people out, therefore all loopholes should be carefully looked at and closed.
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Snowden Edward Asange / April 3, 2015
Long overdue..now that the claws r locking on Gandassara’s neck…. MS, RW and all ministers should be careful of the one in the pic..we do NOT want another Bandaranayake scenario taking place and for MR to come from the backdoor.. BE VIGILANT !
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Snowden Edward Asange / April 3, 2015
Laws should be implemented to the letter… there are some laws that were made may be a century ago that need be amended… example. A Chinese whore was produced in courts by the Colpetty Police and the fine was a mere RUPEES 10…
For hate speech the MINIMUM punishment should be 10 years in jail… further, what was committed 5-10 years ago should also be allowed to be prosecuted in court…
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maali karunaratne / April 4, 2015
Mr. Snowdon
Your punishment is too heavy. If a minimum punishment of 10 years, the judges are reluctant to punish them and they some how find loopholes. It is difficult to prove rape cases as the punishments are severe. In fact now judges resort to order suspended sentences.
Also media institutions must be also warned not to give prominence to these hate speeches. In fact these hate mongers came to lime light by the media by giving them prominence.
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Snowden Edward Asange / April 4, 2015
LOL..isn’t it better than cutting off the private parts of these idiots or even castrating? we lost many lives and fought an almost 3 decade war with casualities from not 1 side but more than 4…. Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay, Burger etc..
Mother Lanka has bled more than what it deserved…lets get united to build a better place for our generations to come and enjoy the tear drop in the Indian Ocean…
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gigurawa / April 4, 2015
first to be persecuted will be the elected leader of the northern provincialncial Mr Wigneshwaran who makes derogatory statements about sinhalse and buddhists.
Then the people who insist on enforcing Sharia law in neighbouring Pakistan or the land of birth of Islam.
Thirdly,the religious minorities who connive to destroy the cultural heritage and have one foot in Vatican and the other foot if a place called Colombo.
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gigurawa / April 5, 2015
Snowden. Before we punish hate speech we have to complete the unfinished business of punishing or bringing to book the traitors who are born and live in this country , but hate this country and its majority, the Sinhalese.
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CHOlan / April 4, 2015
TOO LATE….TOO LATE…TOO LATE
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alex / April 4, 2015
Sri Lanka has many good laws … what is needed is the will to enforce them.
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Abraham / April 4, 2015
There is no law for banning of hate speech since independence, But there is law for the religion freedom which enables any religion to exercise their rights to pray, build holy sites etc.
Yes, it’s important to enforce them, But the laws were displaced during the Rajapaksa government.
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Analyst / April 4, 2015
Do you mean.Under the veil of terrorism act ?
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Heretic / April 4, 2015
Abraham,
“There is no law for banning of hate speech since independence, But there is law for the religion freedom which enables any religion to exercise their rights to pray, build holy sites etc. Yes, it’s important to enforce them, But the laws were displaced during the Rajapaksa government.”
Actually the laws also ban offending religion and disturbing religious assemblies since a long time.
Freedom of religion ,of course, doesn’t or shouldn’t mean that we can build places of worship without a permit everywhere and operate loud speakers in the middle of the night and without a permit.
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Jim softy / April 4, 2015
Tamilc can have Tamil political parties, muslims can have muslim political parties.
bodu bala Sena should register as a Sinhala buddhist political political party.
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Navin / April 4, 2015
But first [Edited out] Gnanasara, so that he is rendered capable of acting according to the tenets of Buddhism. Then may be BBS will be able to function as a legitimate religious party. There is a new hate monger on this Forum. He is Gi-Buruwa and he [Edited out] in order to have peace. Softy do you think you can arrange for this [Edited out]
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Vanguard / April 4, 2015
Will this include hate speech against Politicians? Good move all around. We need less hate speech in this country.
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Heretic / April 4, 2015
“Country needs new laws to prevent/minimise any violent act or offend based on racial hatred.”
Actually I don’t think so. The problem is more the lack of implementation of the already existing sections of the Penal Code. The police and courts don’t do their work.
Unless I am totally mistaken it is an offense to instigate others to commit offenses even if nothing happens. There are sections on abetting as it is called in the Penal Code.
If I tell my neighbors and relatives to burn down the “disturbing” church behind the corner I commit an offense even if they don’t burn down the church.
In case I am wrong please correct me.
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words / April 4, 2015
Can this cover “boru speech” as well.. so that Rajitha can be more careful before spewing out false information to the public???
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Rabok / April 4, 2015
Make hate speech a criminal offence – and put all the rascals of any race who utter hate rubbish behind bars for more than ten years
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Senthil / April 4, 2015
Jim, it is a very basic thing. Tamils can have Tamil party like TNA, Muslims can have Muslim party, Singhalese can have Sinhala party like SEFP, UNP. But Tamils cannot have “Poosary party”, Muslims cannot have “mosque party” and like wise Singhalese cannot have “Buddhist monk party” or BBS. Should not mix religion into politics.
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Jim softy / April 4, 2015
Senthil:
What is muslim ?. Is it an ehtnic group ?
Why TNA leader is always a Vellahla ? and not Even Sritharan or AnandaSangaree cannot become TNA leader ?
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Sena / April 4, 2015
Religion is practiced mainly by the elderly and infirm and also by those who
are uncertain and driven by fright.
All religions and faiths preach the same thing and prepare the living for a life after death, ie; what thou shall sow, thou shall reap.
Buddhism is not a religion, it was founded by the great and learned prince Siddartha who gave up his royal comforts to experience the true passage of the human being until his demise from this world. During this time He underwent untold sufferings to achieve the purpose of His objectives. Buddhism is a philosophy based on practicality and can be followed by anyone irrespective of their own faith.
Prince Siddartha gave up his royal and luxurious lifestyle and the pleasures of the royal palace to seek the truth of life whereas in todays world it is totally opposite. To be ordained as a monk is a credit to the family. All ficilities are virtually free, they live in well sheltered, comortable accommodations and are provided with good food and drinks. They are free to travel and visit their families and friends. If they are wise (or vice) they can enter into a paying job or politics and beyond.
The true Buddhist is a true disciple of Buddha derived from the term buddhimath (the intelligent).
Anyone using one faith to discredit another is a racial extremist and cannot be tolerated in a pluralistic society. The government must have strict laws
on this with severe punishments for the offender irrespective of their faith.
The current move by the government to ban hate speech is highly commendable.
What is the punishment ?
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Pacs / April 4, 2015
“Don’t you think this island also needs laws to ban war crime denial?”
“Don’t you think this island also needs laws to ban war crime denial?”
Denial of war crime is a feature of Genocide.
Erasing evidence of war crime too is a feature of Genocide.
The more number of SL forces have been engaged in erasing the evidence of (war) crime as a full time job since the end of war 2009. In that process they are committing more crimes.
What ever said There is enough suspicion on SL Intelligence and espionage division is busy in murdering of the Tamil activists in Sri Lanka and overseas. Using high tech methods without a trace of evidence. As said by gota they do it. The attitude should stop.
The Police trained and motivated by so many experts from different countries has been doing this and They are unable to bring a fair society.
Entire present police, should be sent home.
All the braves are being killed and coward remains as subservient and subjects for s– duty.
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cholan / April 4, 2015
Communal politics started by true buddhist SOLAMAN DIAS bandaranayaka .specially anti -Tamil racist feeling is rooted in the minds of Sinhalse for generations ……
It is practicably impossible to change this mind set…..
Look defeated crooks are taking communal card again to come to power
This is a cursed country …..
Buddhism is not a religion it is a Philosophy ….but in SL Buddhism is being commercialized by Sinhala politicians ….
Vietnam..Cambodia..Thailand…Laos …Sri Lanka all these buddhist countries are soaked with blood …something wrong somewhere..
If Emperor Asoka visit SL today he will commit suicide for introducing Buddhism in this country
There should be a valid reason for Tamils relinquish this Buddhism which was very popular 1000 years ago among Tamils
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Jim softy / April 4, 2015
Body Bala Sena Should be registered as Sinhala National Alliance.
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Snowden Edward Asange / April 6, 2015
LOL @ BODY bala sena. YES ! they are fed FREE food so no wonder they have massive frames and no sexual activity, so tehe frustration is built and they explode at any given time….
May be a reason Gota built a gym for them in Galle…
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