Apr 07, Colombo: A government Minister has denied that a proposed Cabinet paper to be presented next week is aimed at banning the extremist religious organizations in the country.

Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudeva Nanayakkara has rejected claims that he is preparing to submit a Cabinet paper seeking a ban on extremist groups that are creating rifts between the ethnic and religious communities in the island.

He has said that the proposed Cabinet paper is not aimed at banning the extremist group, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) or any other organization but he was only suggesting to ban hate speech that invokes racism.

The Minister has said that although he disagrees with some organizations, he agrees that they have the right to express their ideas.

"This is a democratic country and organizations have their rights to express ideas," he was quoted in local media as saying.

General Secretary of the government ally Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), Minister Champika Ranawaka, has said that his party would strongly object to the Cabinet Paper proposed by Minister Nanayakkara.