Legal action against those who engage in communal, ethnic and religious hatred: Prime Minister [Video]

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said that the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to instruct the Police to take legal action against those who engage in communal, ethnic and religious hatred, violence and hate speech.

He said further that if someone engaged in communal, ethnic and religious hatred and violence and hate speech, measures would be taken to inquire, arrest and produce the person before court.

He also said that if necessary that new laws would be passed by the Parliament.

He made these observations today making a special statement to the media at the Temple Trees.

He also said that the act was an reaffirmation of the policy of the National Unity Government headed by President Maithripala Sirisena, in accordance with the mandates received from the people at the Presidential elections on January 08, 2015, to ensure that our nation never again returns to a conflict-ridden past, and instead resolve to guide our nation towards reconciliation.

He added that we have decided to get together and march forward after the end of the 30 year prolonged war.

He also said that accordingly all the Police stations and related institutions have been informed to maintain law and order.

"I am proud to be Sinhala Buddhist, in the same manner I am proud to be a Sri Lankan. As a Sri Lankan, I respect all religions and cultures. If someone hates other religions and cultures, he cannot be accepted as a Sri Lankan. The good governance government would guarantee equal rights and ensure an environment that all could live peacefully,” said the Prime Minister.

Premier also pointed out that the country was affected by the religious conflicts in 2014 and the unity among communities was damaged. He added that the same incident the image of the country was affected. "We cannot repeat the same," Premier Wickremesinghe said. "We would not allow to repeat them too."

He also said that Police has been instructed to investigate into the incident of attacking several Muslim businesses and mosques. He added that the Police would bring the situation back to normal.

He also added that, those incidents are being investigated by the Police and at several incidents Police had implemented law. He assured that none of those matters had been given up by the government.