Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has accused Minister Lalkantha of violating the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act by allegedly insulting Buddhism and the Maha Sangha.

Rajapaksa said the minister had referred to the chief incumbent of the Mihintale temple in a derogatory manner, which he described as an unacceptable insult to a religious leader. He stressed that such conduct should be strongly condemned.

Quoting provisions of the ICCPR Act, Rajapaksa noted that the law prohibits advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence. He argued that if the law is applied equally to all, legal action should be taken against Lalkantha for allegedly promoting religious hatred and insulting Buddhist leaders.

He further claimed that if an ordinary citizen or a member of the Opposition had committed a similar offence, they would have already been arrested and prosecuted. Rajapaksa criticised the government for remaining silent over what he described as an attack on the Maha Sangha and the spread of religious hostility.

While acknowledging that differences of opinion may exist between politicians and the Maha Sangha, Rajapaksa said no political leader in Sri Lanka’s history had previously acted in such a manner towards the Buddhist clergy.