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Statement From SL Startup Founders On The Critical Situation of The Country - 13 March 2018
Statement From SL Startup Founders On The Critical Situation of The Country - 13 March 2018
Statement From SL Startup Founders On The Critical Situation of The Country - 13 March 2018
The startup community of Sri Lanka condemns the violence that has recently taken place in certain parts of
the country. We may be Muslims, Tamils, Burghers and Sinhalese. We may practice Buddhism, Hinduism,
Christianity and Islam. But we are all Sri Lankans, who believe and promote the idea that by living, playing
and working together, we can help make Sri Lanka a peaceful, inspiring and prosperous leader in the
global community.
To help achieve this vision, we demand that our political representatives and the police take urgent action
to ensure that this organized violence never happens again. We demand our government officials
undertake urgently the following actions:
● Investigate the evidence, arrest the perpetrators and make them accountable to the crimes
committed. The law in Sri Lanka must be enforced, without political interference and justice must
be carried out.
● Show strong leadership, ensuring there is zero tolerance to acts of racism and violence against our
fellow citizens.
● Remove all restrictions on Internet services immediately. Instead of censoring the Internet, identify
individuals and groups that use social media to promote hate and use legal mechanisms to bring
them to justice.
The scars of the 30 year long war are only just beginning to fade away. Men and women from all our
diverse communities fought to create a free Sri Lanka. We never want our country to experience war
again.
We expect our political leaders to show leadership and do what is necessary, and act swiftly to ensure that
no individual or group is given the space or the opportunity to create inter-community violence with
impunity.
Research shows that organizations that exhibit diversity across ethnicity and gender perform better. By all
of us working together, championing diversity and without thinking about colour, race, religion or gender,
we can make Sri Lanka an amazing little island that punches well above its weight.
Sri Lanka’s startup community is ready to work with the government, individuals and other groups to ensure
a safe environment for all citizens. We are ready to do whatever is necessary to ensure Sri Lanka does not
slide back to the dark ages of war and of unaccountable government.
Signed:
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Statement by Sri Lanka Startup Founders - 13 March 2018
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Statement by Sri Lanka Startup Founders - 13 March 2018
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