Police to take strict legal action against groups instigating hate crimes

Strict legal action will be taken against people who instigate clashes between communities and religions, the Police said.

Police headquarters in a statement has said that strict legal action will be taken against any person or group which acts to create conflicts between communities and religions.

IGP Pujith Jayasundara has sent a circular informing all police officers about the need to maintain religious and ethnic harmony and instructed all OICs, ASPs, officers in charge of divisions and DIGs to commit themselves to prevent such incidents.

There are reports that a small group of people was spreading false propaganda over social media to create conflicts between communities and religions. Police are taking stern legal action against those groups at present. President Maithripala Sirisena recently reiterated the Government’s commitment to eliminate extremism in the country and promote reconciliation.