Colombo, March 8 (newsin.asia): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has blamed “organized external elements” for the anti-Muslim riots in Central Sri Lanka.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Chairperson of the HRCSL, Dr.Deepika Udagama, has said that the riots in Digana, Teldeniya and other places, appear to he “instigated by external elements in an organized manner.”
It pointed out that the communities targeted had been living together in communal peace and harmony till violence was unleashed by such external elements.
The letter also noted that the violence had occurred “against the backdrop of a sustained hate campaign against certain religious groups on the social media.”
The Commission sought action against those who “instigate or provide organizational support and strength for such violence.”
It called for the full implementation of Sec 3 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights Act 56 of 2007, which says that anyone who propagates or advocates racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination ,hostility or violence, and aids or abets such acts, is guilty of an offense.
(The featured image at the top is that of the family of M.D.Kumarasinghe whose killing by a unruly group of Muslims sparked off the anti-Muslim riots in Kandy district: Photo: Meera Srinivasan, The Hindu)