June 29, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Rajitha Senaratne said that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Police had commenced investigations regarding the hate speech delivered by Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, the general secretary of the extremist Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

Minister Senaratne told a local news website that he inquired from Deputy Inspector General of Police of Western Province, Anura Senanayake about the steps taken against the hate speech of the BBS general secretary which he delivered before the violence broke out in Aluthgama and Dharga Town.

DIG Anura Senanayake had told the Minister that an investigation was underway regarding the speech delivered by the monk at a rally held in Aluthgama on June 15th.

Minister Senaratne who is the electoral organizer of Beruwala where communal violence took place has asked the police to take stern action against the offenders.

The Minister was touring in US and Italy when communal violence hit his electorate.