District Inter Religious Committees (DIRCs) in all districts condemned the brutal killing of Sri Lankan Factory Manager Priyantha Kumara in Pakistan and religious extremism and organized activities to counter hate speech.
In Sri Lanka, there was a rise of hate speech on social media platforms where enraged groups expressed their displeasure about the killing. Puttalam, Kandy, Batticaloa, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya DIRCs displayed banners condemning the killing and the rise of religious extremism. Kandy, Puttalam, Batticaloa and Nuwara Eliya DIRCs organized press conferences with the participation of religious leaders and civil society activists who spoke on the need for solidarity among all religions to counter the rise of extremism as a result of the killing in Pakistan. Muslim religious leaders and civil activists led by example in these shows of solidarity.
Colombo DIRC organized a TV discussion on whether Islam condemns violence and killing, which was telecasted on TNL, and used it to condemn religious extremism.