NPC decries hate speech

The National Peace Council(NPC), has called on the Government to clamp down on hate speech in keeping with international laws. In a statement released yesterday, the NPC said the ‘Sinha le’ campaign looks like an organised political campaign to exploit nationalistic sentiments.

“The NPC said the government should maintain peace among people and it was the duty of the Sate to do so. The State must prevent hate speech as it provokes violence. Free speech does not encourage hate speech and society abhors it, ” the statement read.

“The NPC noted the need for new legislation as the ‘Sinhala le’ campaign demonstrates intolerance and denial of the rights of minorities and could lead to violence and disrupt a tolerant and peaceful society, if it is not nipped in the bud”