Jan 31, Colombo: The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has agreed to provide technical assistance to Sri Lanka in drafting legislation during discussions with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Justice.

An OHCHR delegation comprising Mona Rishmawi, Chief of the Rule of Law, Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch in the UNHRC, Rory Mungoven, Francesca Marotta and Raghu Menon met with the Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Law Reform Nimal Siripala de Silva today (31) at the Ministry.

During the meeting, the delegation discussed the manner in which the supremacy of law is practiced in the Sri Lankan Judicial System.

The Minister pointed out that that there is a need to enact new legislation to prevent promoting acts of hatred among communities and religions through social media networks such as Facebook.

The Minster explained that many irresponsible activities carried out through Facebook and other social networking sites have resulted in attacks on a large number of people without any basis. Therefore, there is a need for a stringent legal system to curb such malpractices in the use of Facebook and social networks in Sri Lankan society.

The Justice Minister emphasized that the technical assistance from the OHCHR on international conditions and experience is very important for this purpose.

Minister de Silva said the several reforms have already been made to provide the necessary legislation in the Sri Lankan legal system under one law in a united country and the people’s need is to go forward with such a system and the government has people’s support. He added that his ministry would extend its fullest cooperation to make it a success.

“We welcome the assistance provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHRC) and other agencies for this purpose.”

The Minister explained that it was the intention of his ministry to take necessary measures to solve the legal problems of the people without delay and to safeguard the rule of law.

Secretary to the Ministry JJ Ratnasiri, Additional Secretary Attorney-at-Law Piyumanthi Peiris and Legal Consultant Dilhara Amarasinghe were also present at the discussion.