Namal Rajapaksa says: Enforce the law against Lal Kantha, who called the Mihintale monk a savage!

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa stated that Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha, has insulted Buddhism and the Maha Sangha by violating the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act No. 56 of 2007.

Namal Rajapaksa pointed out that, specifically, the insult occurred when the Chief Incumbent of Mihintale, Walawahanguna Wewe Dhammaratana Nayaka Thero, was recently addressed as a "savage" (vanachariya). He also stated that he strongly condemns such an insult to a Buddhist leader.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act states, "Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law." The MP also stated that it is clear that Mr. Lalkantha's actions have thus spread religious hatred.

Namal Rajapaksa further emphasized that if the law is common to all, he questions the government about what legal actions are expected to be taken against Mr. Lalkantha under this Act regarding such insults targeting Buddhist leaders and the spread of religious hatred.

He pointed out that if an ordinary citizen or anyone from the opposition had committed such a violation of the law, they would have already been arrested and the law enforced. However, the MP emphasized that the government's silence so far regarding Mr. Lalkantha's spreading of religious hatred and insulting the Maha Sangha is a problem.