No Room for Racism - Public Security Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala addressed the recent arrests and their reasons.

Speaking in parliament, the Minister emphasized that the core of their mandate is rooted in values that do not tolerate racism. 

In response to ongoing discussions regarding the Mahaviru commemorations, he said that the government respects the right of all citizens, whether from the North or South, to commemorate the death of a loved one.

However, he underscored that any commemoration involving the display of flags, logos, or symbols associated with the LTTE, which is a proscribed organization, is unacceptable.

The Minister noted that a recent statement he made in Galgamuwa had been misinterpreted by a newspaper, prompting him to file a complaint with the CID, which has reportedly initiated an investigation. According to police reports, 244 commemorative ceremonies were held in the North, with 10 of them featuring LTTE symbols. The investigation into these ceremonies is ongoing. 

However, Minister Wijepala pointed out that some of the circulated images did not depict events in the North but rather events held in other countries or from previous years, which are being used to misrepresent the situation and falsely suggest that LTTE-related ceremonies have been occurring since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office.

He added that two of the suspects arrested were linked to activists involved with gas cylinder protests, one of whom had run in the recent election. 

The Minister also added that several individuals with political ties were found to be involved in these incidents.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to upholding freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed by the constitution, Minister Wijepala criticized the spread of false videos and news on social media concerning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and himself.

He assured the public that they will not be swayed by such misinformation and reaffirmed that there will be zero tolerance for racism in the country. If existing laws fall short, he said that new legislation would be proposed to combat such issues.