Sri Lanka candidate pledges laws against religious extremism
Sri Lanka’s governing party presidential candidate on Thursday pledged to refocus the country’s security policy and introduce tough laws to tackle religious extremism and terrorism.
In his election platform, Sajith Premadasa identified religious extremism, illegal drugs and corruption as three issues that require urgent attention.
His platform says the new laws will allow better monitoring, investigation and prosecution of religious extremists, and will provide severe penalties for hate speech and misinformation.
“The defense budget will be enhanced to prioritize modernization of the intelligence agencies, police and security forces in line with the National Security Strategy,” the platform said.
“Included in the modernization of the police force will be a fresh policy on promotions that will reflect merit and recognize the value of officers who are dedicated to their duty in pursuing challenging, dangerous and important criminal cases,” the document said.
A position of national security adviser will be created by law and a Counter Terrorism Center will be established linking all relevant agencies, it said.
National security in the aftermath of deadly Easter Sunday bomb attacks has taken prominence in the election campaign as it enters the final two weeks.
Some 269 people were killed in suicide bomb attacks on three churches and three tourist hotels. Two local Islamic extremist groups that pledged allegiance to recently killed Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Bhagdadi have been blamed for the attacks.
Sri Lankan authorities are accused of not having acted on near-specific intelligence warnings ahead of the attacks.
A parliamentary committee appointed to investigate the attacks said the country’s spy chief, Nilantha Jayawardena, should take a large portion of the blame because he received information on possible attacks as early as April 4, 17 days before they occurred, but he delayed in relaying the reports to other agencies and the military.
The voting will take place Nov. 16, with Premadasa and former defense official Gotabaya Rajapaksa seen as the leading candidates.
Rajapaksa has said he will order a new probe into the blasts and won’t recognize an agreement the government made with the U.N. Human Rights Council to investigate alleged war crimes during the nation’s civil war.
Meanwhile, election chief Mahinda Deshapriya warned that voters who share images on Facebook of their marked ballots will be sent to prison for up to three years.
Deshapriya said some people who were casting postal votes on Thursday had taken photos of their marked ballots and shared them on Facebook.
“It is highly illegal to do so,” he said.
Government employees are able to vote before others because most of them will be on election duty on Nov. 16.
(AP)
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with Sagith and PM and Karu working together there is no force can destroy the UNF
Dear Engr Perera,
PM Ranil wil never ever work with Sajith.
PM Ranil is working for GR’s victory where UNP will continue to be in Govt with RW as PM.
Sajith P does not have a neck; his head is directly connected to his body; that means his brain functions are severely limited.
yes this is a good move, strict and severe punishment should be given for law breakers, its only then all communities could live in peace, mostly these are created by politicians, the civic rights of these politicians should be removed and jailed for minimum 10 years
Look at the photo.
Bathiutheen and Hakeem standing just behind M*dad*sa and his Boss do not appear to be happy.
Their facial expressions show shock and awe.
M*dad*sa is talking like George W Bush in dealing with Muslims.
Bathiutheen and Hakeem not happy.
Has anyone noticed that Mr SP does not have a neck?
His head is joined to the body directly, not through a neck.
What does this mean?
Does it mean that his brain functions are severely constrained?
Both your faces make me vomit. So ugly plus extreme stupidity.
Please note; Action against only Muslims.
Tougher legislation on extremism and religious terrorism, should not ignore racist LTTE terrorism!
If the government is serious about this they should start by investigating any ministers with possible links to either terrorist group.
Examples need to be set, and no one is above the law!
Religious extremism only? What about Separatist extremism? Separatist extremism lasted for 30 years and claimed over 100,000 Sri Lankan lives, not to mention that it ruined the nation’s economy for that long – and yet you ignore it when mentioning extremism? Aha, to talk about that now would be to all but say goodbye to the “Tamil vote factor” which you both and your coterie of dishonest nincompoops are going after, shamelessly dripping pools of saliva!