Kandy violence: Not isolated incidents!

The recent incidents of violence in Kandy cannot be considered as an isolated incident sats the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission.

In a letter addressed to the President, the commision noted that starting from the incident in Gintota to the recent events in Ampara shows a trend of incidents being instigated to create hate between the various communities living in the country.

 Pre Planned attacks by outsiders:

The commission also claimed that in its initial investigations it has been revealed that based on one incident, outsiders have planned and organized these attacks to incite racial hate and violence.

In the letter, they noted that the individual who died due to the attack on February 22 had been cordial with Muslims and Sinhalese people living in the area.

“However, it is observed that action is being taken to spread terror, disunity and hostility among communities in the country due to incitements and criminal acts committed by organized outside elements,” the HRC said.

"Enforce the law"

The letter also brought the President’s attention to the fact that how over the past few years, some of the social networking sites have been used to constantly publish and spread hate statements in a manner that incites the country’s citizens.

While hate and violent speech is a criminal offence under the provisions of the Penal Code of Civil Procedure Act No.56 of 2007 and the Code of Criminal Procedure Act the HRC emphasized the need to enforce the law against those who commit acts of hate speech.

The HRC also said the law should be enforced against those, directly and indirectly, connected to these acts despite their race, economic, political and societal standings.