Namal accuses Minister Lal Kantha of spreading religious hatred

 

 Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa has accused Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lal Kantha of spreading religious hatred and insulting Buddhism and the Maha Sangha, claiming that the Minister’s recent remarks violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act No. 56 of 2007.

Rajapaksa alleged that Minister Lal Kantha had recently insulted the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya and had referred to Venerable Walawahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thera in derogatory terms, describing it as an attack on a senior Buddhist monk.

Quoting the ICCPR Act, Rajapaksa said the law prohibits the incitement of national, racial or religious hatred, including acts that promote discrimination, hostility or violence. He said the Minister’s comments appeared to fall within this definition and questioned what legal action the government intends to take against Lal Kantha.

He further claimed that if a similar offence had been committed by an ordinary citizen or a member of the opposition, legal action would have already been taken, but the government was remaining silent in this case.

Rajapaksa also said that while disagreements between politicians and the Maha Sangha are not unusual, he believes no politician in Sri Lanka’s history has insulted the Maha Sangha in such a manner.

Meanwhile, a fresh controversy has erupted following a Facebook post made by Minister Lal Kantha soon after his remarks against the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, further fueling debate and criticism.