Two training programmes and a campaign on the prevention of hate speech for local government authorities and religious leaders were conducted by master trainers under NPC’s project Technical Assistance to Justice Institutions in Sri Lanka in Kandy and Ratnapura.

Participants were given an introduction to hate speech and its sociological background and told about factors that contributed to the spread of hate speech and its social impact. On the session on social media, they were taught about the rapid increase of internet users, algorithms and google cookies. The speakers used examples to show instances where hate speech on social media had led to violence such as in Myanmar where military leaders and Buddhist nationalists used social media to demonise the Rohingya Muslim minority ahead of and during a campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Participants were asked not to propagate hate speech on social media by sharing, reacting or commenting on posts but to report the social media organisations. The religious leaders agreed that the main reason conflicts arose was because of hate speech. They pointed out that no religion taught hatred. When people were prevented from practicing their religion, it led to hate speech and people hurt the feelings of others, they added.

“As a local government authority member, the training was very useful to me. I learnt the difference between normal speech and hate speech and how it destroys people’s dignity. I suggest that this should be taught to all politicians in the country,” said Danushka Kalupahana.

Also under the justice project, an oratorical competition on hate speech and social media was held in Kandy targeting 200 youth leaders in six youth centres in collaboration with National Youth Service Council.

“Thank you NPC, for organizing a wonderful event that was very useful. We will share what we learnt with other youth societies. The programme serves as a platform for us to learn from each other’s experiences about hate speech; it is the first time we heard about the concept,” said a youth leader.