The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka today welcomed Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s statement explicitly affirming that the government and law enforcement authorities would not tolerate hate speech or hate campaigns through social media.

Rajapaksa, speaking to Ada Derana on Saturday, said that he has ordered security authorities to take stern action against those who espouse racial and religious hatred using social media.

“This is a long overdue and important action that needs to be strictly enforced with immediate effect,” the Muslim Council said in a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Defense and Urban Development Ministry.

It said that the timely action by the Defence Secretary “will send a clear message” to all Sri Lankans and the international community that he will not tolerate targeting of minorities in the country.

The MCSL also urged Rajapaksa to extend the prohibition of hate speech to mainstream media and public gatherings, “so that all Sri Lankans of different ethnicities and religious beliefs can live as equal citizens of Sri Lanka.”

“We also kindly request you to inquire in to the violence in Aluthgama and Beruwela on the 15th and 16th of June 2014 and bring the instigators and perpetrators of violence to justice and ensure that the rule of law prevails equally for all,” MCSL Vice President, Hilmy Ahamed said in the letter.

“This important statement of yours confirms your commitment to ensure that Sri Lanka does not slide back to the violent past that gripped the country during the 30 years of ethnic conflict and terrorism. This also sends a clear message to the peace loving Buddhists who are the silent majority that you do not condone racism and have no role in the hate campaign. It will encourage all peace loving citizens to condemn intolerance and violence.”

“In the two days of violence that occurred in Aluthgama and Beruwela, the stability and investor confidence that was established was destroyed. We, as Sri Lankans need to work together to ensure that violence of any form will never be repeated, and support rebuilding the image of Sri Lanka as a peaceful, stable, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation.”

“We affirm our commitment to work with you and the government of Sri Lanka towards peace, stability and prosperity for all,” it said.