Namal Rajapaksa stated that Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K.D. Lalkantha, has insulted Buddhism and the Maha Sangha, in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act No. 56 of 2007.
He pointed out that, in a recent incident, the Mihintale Nayaka Thero had insulted the Dhammarathana Nayaka Thero of Walawahanguna Wewa by referring to him as a “savage.” Namal Rajapaksa said he strongly condemns such remarks, describing them as an unacceptable insult to a Buddhist religious leader.
Referring to the ICCPR Act, which states that “no one shall incite to national, racial or religious hatred, including the spreading of war or incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence,” Namal Rajapaksa said that Lal Kantha appears to have spread religious hatred through this incident.
He further stated that if the law is applied equally to all, he would question the government on what legal action will be taken against Lal Kantha under the ICCPR Act for insulting Buddhist leaders and spreading religious hatred.
Namal Rajapaksa also said that if an ordinary citizen or a member of the opposition had committed such an act, they would have already been arrested and legal action would have been taken. However, he alleged that the government remains silent regarding Lal Kantha’s actions, despite the spreading of religious hatred and insults directed at the Maha Sangha.
He added that while differences of opinion may exist between politicians and the Maha Sangha, no politician in the history of the country has insulted the Maha Sangha in this manner.
