Sri Lankan minister receives support to present Cabinet paper against hate speech

A Sri Lankan minister has received support from fellow ministers to present a Cabinet paper against hate speech in the country. National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has received the backing of Muslim parliamentarians in the government for the proposed Cabinet paper seeking a ban on hate speech, a local English weekly reported. Senior Minister A. H. M. Fowzie speaking in support of the move has said that such legislation should be introduced to safeguard the coexistence among communities. He has observed that all other Muslim parliamentarians in the government should back the Cabinet paper if it is submitted. Industries Minister Rishad Bathiyutheen has also expressed his support to the Cabinet paper. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has also said it supported a ban on hate speech. SLMC General Secretary M.T. Hassan Ali has said the party will support Minister's Cabinet paper. However, General Secretary of the government ally Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), Minister Champika Ranawaka, has said that his party would strongly object to the Cabinet Paper proposed by Minister Nanayakkara.

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