• Existing units/laws adequate to probe religious issues

Refuting recent reports that a separate Police unit is to be established to investigate groups that act in a way that threatens the religious harmony of the country, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said that there is no need for establishing such as the existing Police units are capable of investigating such matters.

It was reported that President and Defence Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had instructed Alles to immediately establish a separate Police unit to take action against those threatening religious harmony.

When contacted by The Daily Morning to inquire about the matter, Alles said that there are no preparations for a special Police unit to be established to look into such matters. "This is false news. There is no need of establishing any separate unit as our Police units are capable of handling these matters under the present laws. So, we will not establish any new unit."

Following several incidents of certain individuals such as pastor Jerome Fernando and stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya having made statements that have allegedly insulted Buddhism and other religions, it was reported that Wickremesinghe had instructed Alles to discuss the matter with Presidential Advisor on National Security Sagala Ratnayake and to take appropriate action, including the establishment of a separate unit.

Meanwhile, claiming that the incidents of Buddhism and other religions being allegedly insulted by various individuals are those of an organised nature, the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, President's Counsel, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said on Wednesday (31) that legal action would be taken against such individuals. He said that the Police has the power to initiate investigations and legal action on such matters even without the receipt of a complaint.