Sections of the diplomatic community that has by and large supported the Government’s crackdown on the freedom of expression following communal rights have now said it’s time the ban on social media was lifted.
President Sirisena
The Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Bryce Hutchesson tweeted, “Time, overdue, to lift Sri Lanka’s blanket blocking of key social media platforms – a blunt instrument.” Earlier US Ambassador Atul Keshap said that it was hate-filled people and not social media per se that were to blame.
“Social media is an imperfect, evolving, and fluid platform that uses new technology to connect and reflect human societies as a whole, including the good and bad,” he observed in a twitter post.
Social media platforms including Facebook,WhatsApp, Viber and Imo have been blocked since last week, supposedly ‘to prevent transmitting fake news or rumours that instill a fear psychosis or a threat to communal harmony.’
Dr Harsha De Silva, who tweeted last Thursday (8th) that hate speech on facebook was increasing beyond acceptable levels and that the Government will have to act immediately to save lives, stated on two days later that the ban on social media would be lifted the same day (10th).
Meanwhile, although the Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Harin Fernando is reported to have told the ‘Daily Mirror’ that the ban would be lifted on Monday, the platforms mentioned above remain blocked.
Fernando mentioned the time consuming nature of ‘removing content such as hate speech published on Facebook in Sinhala’ as the reason for the delay. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, which handles such matters come under his portfolio.
The opposition, however, opines that the ban is part of a Government strategy to curb the freedom of expression.
Addressing a news briefing on Monday, Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya and a vocal spokesperson for the Joint Opposition Udaya Gammanpila pointed out that ‘a number of users had utilized social media platforms to express their sentiments against the government during the recent past.’
“The violent incidents in Kandy are no more and the curfew has been lifted. The State of Emergency would be expired on Wednesday but the ban on social media is still in effect. The government which came to power to ensure freedom of expression attempts to suppress social media today hiding behind Kandy violence,” he added.
Giving credence to Gammanpila’s stand on the matter is the fact that certain disturbing incidents reported by the wire-agencies have gone unmentioned in the mainstream media.
For example Reuters and Al Jazeera reported that a grenade blast killed one person on Wednesday (7th). The identity of the victim, whether or not it was the person who had the grenade, and the circumstances remain a mystery.
Buddhist / March 13, 2018
People are openly attacking the President in the social media because he after coming 3rd in the election requested the 2nd person the PM to resign. Further he had a mid night meeting with Mahinda and took Mahinda’s order and did not make Sarath Fonseka the Minister of Law and Order. The media such as Derana, Hiru and Maharaja TV channels which have become conveyor belts in bashing the PM and for fake news have also got attacked by the social media users. What has the President done, he has not arrested one single Buddhist Monk or an MP who were involved in provoking the racial riots. Social media has put out videos of all these activities. I am not sure even a Presidential Commission with full powers will be confirmed by the President as he has to protect his people. For all these reasons only the social media has been shut down.
/
Silva / March 13, 2018
The victims of the mob violence should upload all the pictures and videos of the attackers so that the authorities can arrest and prosecute these terrorists…
/
Harishchandra / March 13, 2018
“Arrest and prosecute these terrorists ” you are a dreamer, remember you are in Siri Lanka and not in a developed country where the Law is not Low.
/
nimal fernando / March 13, 2018
Whichever way you look at it, the results of the recent election – which is the people’s verdict; not the Rajapakses’ or JO’s – has for all practical purposes destroyed the Sirisena/Ranil government.
–
One bold move to salvage something out of what is left would have been to appoint Sarath Fonseka. ……….but Sirisena balked ……….
–
Now it’s a slow death for the government …………..unlike other Lankan pols, Mahinda is one shrewd dude who has learned something from his long years in politics…….and playing a masterful cunning game – as good as I’ve seen a Lankan pol play; can’t blame him, if I were in his position I would have done the same …………..
–
In all the years in politics ……….Ranil has learned nothing; still just a babe in arms………..in politics patients is not a virtue …………..just hanging around achieves nothing……..
–
The only option for Ranil now is, before being kicked out ………is to put the blame on Sirisena for Fonseka’s non-appointment and resign and take the UNP out of the government ……….put the sole responsibility on the other side ……….let Sirisena/Mahinda/JO with the SLFP ministers run the government
–
The economy is in such a state ………..in a year people will be begging for a change of government ………….
–
That is how these things play out in SL ……………..
–
Ranil, for once in your namby-pamby gutless life show some bloody courage and resign now ………….in a year you’ll be laughing ……..and might even have a realistic shot at the presidency …………. Then if Rajapakse becomes the PM he’ll be the one with courage and decisiveness!………
–
Man, why did I have to be born in Lanka? What’s wrong with Syria? ………….at least there it’s quick; they just chop your head off ………..not the lingering slow death that one has to undergo in our shithole ………at least you got one thing right ….. Donald!
/
Patriot / March 13, 2018
Such videos have been available since the creation of the BBS in 2012 but no action has been taken to date.
We don’t expect anything different now, or even in the future, that is the sad state of my beautiful country…
/
Kapila / March 13, 2018
The fact is ALL the Politicians are CORRUPT _Sira, RW and MR and the people are fed up. Not a single corrupt politician who set up the racist organizations and the Buddhist monk thugs who are the leaders of the violence have been arrested. Rather, Students are being arrested and social media shut down but it is the politicians and their Saffron Thugs who are the leaders of the violence and who should be arrested. But
Not a single Corrupt politician or Saffron Robed thug has been arrested.
Social media is a medium and not the message. There is a lot of evidence on Buddhist thugs in robes in Social media to arrest BBS Gniayanasara, but police is in Gaga land dancing to Ranil and Sria and MR corrupt tunes
/
Ben Hurling / March 13, 2018
For MY3-Gota Raja ticket in 2020, as being conspired, a ban on social media imposed at will, when things are not going their way is highly desirable. The self-proclaimed, democrat like no-other RW would love a powerful tool of censorship of this sort. That uneducated guy from Hambantota, who used to run the show, has shown by violence against media, where he stands. STUPID Sri Lankans, MY3, RW or Mahinda Raja you are screwed. But, you deserve it.
Cheers!
PS: Please elect Maria Kade Sajith next. You all will have a very bright future as security guards.
/
Gratiaen Hewa / March 13, 2018
Mr.BH.Why are you calling Hon.Sajith “Mariyakadea Sajith”? We like to know!
/
Lapatiya / March 13, 2018
D(G)on Sirisena’s first attempt was to use the “Madu Walige” to protect the culture. Then second was to protect Killers posing as Rana Viruwo chasing Dilrukshi Dias Wickarasinghe out. Then he said he will drag all wrong dowers to the hell. Then he said he has a very sharp Sward which he will never hesitate to use against corrupted goons.. After his popularity became 4% he wanted Ranil out as premier. Then he wanted to make a deal with Rajapakshas. Then again he blocked Lankaenews without giving any reason. He then blocked Social Media such as Facebook, Whatap, Viber and Imo using recent violence. His next attempt will be to cut male organs citing the same can be used as rape weapon..
/
Jim softy / March 13, 2018
Diplomats have their cultural bckground bothering them. They think, that they as sovereign countries have the authority to influence other govts. That is actually the Christian/Catholic style. Asian style is they do not interfere in others affairs. This is simply disgusting for civilized societies. that is not at all fiiendship. IF this happened in their counteies, they would have reacted right away called the responsible Ambassador shown the way out.
/
Champa / March 13, 2018
Hey Jims
Did you see, President has met Solheim and has sought his help for some environmental issue!!!!!! I am sure he was wrongly advised again by his sidekicks, the CFA godfathers – including Austin Fernando. Why did he meet Solheim? Who is he? Wrong protocol.
/
Lasith / March 13, 2018
Jim Softly “the sociopath”
It is fine to accept AID and donations from the same so called Christian countries without shame, is it not?
On top of that you are using their foreign language to convey your views!
What do they call your type of people, wait of it…………
Hypocrite!!!
What part of asking for peaceful coexistence is wrong?
Everyone has equal rights to live. That is why when we go abroad as Sri Lankans we are not maltreated. We are first and foremost members of the human Race, before all other attributes. Think about it.
I know it feels good when false patriots massage your Ego, be don’t be deceived my friend, Buddha teaches us to do what is right, that is what you should do too, instead of stewing in a soup of hatred.
/
old codger / March 13, 2018
Jimmy,
“IF this happened in their counteies, they would have reacted right away called the responsible Ambassador shown the way out.”
Yes, they can do this in countries that are not up their neck in debt.You think Sri Lanka will expel even the Chinese ambassador? Ha Ha.
/
Daisy / March 13, 2018
For once you are right. The ‘Asian’ way is to murder, rape, assault, steal, cover up, abduct, lie, justify violence, backstab, conspire, raze, insult, abuse, harangue, discriminate, peddle influence etc.
The important thing is to keep those pesky Western Christian countries out of our business, no?
/
Dil / March 14, 2018
I do agree to a greater extent with you despite the down votes. Whether the social media ban was ideal or not, it did help derailing the violent racism fad because bigots are easily provoked by bigotry. So, it is a good move, GIVEN the fact that violence was growing out of gov’s hands and AS LONG AS it is TEMPORARY. So I believe it is best that foreign dignitaries don’t interfere in matters of grave importance like this (especially when the whole country and its people are at stake), since they are the very people who run their mouth against us, when violence escalates claiming adequate action had not been taken. In fact, their job is to make a statement and flag their presence and what triggers it has little relevance to the context.
/
Jim softy / March 13, 2018
In many countries, Face book like social media is banned because of it’s destructive nature on foreign cultures. Some where I read, Google has stopped collecting data on private individuals except for specific organizations and individuals. Face book is really destructive to Sri lanka and should be curtained highly if not out right banned. Another alternative is start a friendly web site which counters the Face book. Even WHARTAPP is sais to be very destructive. viber is also collecting data, which is spy work.
/
Jim softy / March 13, 2018
Both these countries have lot of anti-muslim violence. but, their media do not report. Can see the information in the web as well as in Wikipedia. Sri lankan govt banned temporarily socially destructive media, two sales men are very upset. So much for respecting another country’s sovereignity.
/
Shrikharan / March 13, 2018
Jim,
Social media is destructive like minded people like you because the blatant truth on the atrocities committed by the majority community against minorities. being dispersed instantly to the world.
Go9vernment under emergency rule have imposed rule that any one caught spreading hatred will be subjected to maximum of 20 years of jail. There are many videos taken showing thugs in saffron cloths leading the mob attack and intimidating Muslims but no action. So as I see these rules are made only to protect the these thugs of the majority community and to be a warning to minorities to ‘take all the beatings but not to hit back’ and if they do, they will be arrested under the law and punished sentenced to jail maximum of 20 years.
I mean what I say because why aren’t all these saffron thugs seen on video leading the attack not arrested?
/
wannihami / March 13, 2018
Shrikharan dude, point! On the spot. Right on target. No kidding!
/
Native Vedda / March 13, 2018
Shrikharan
–
Did you see wannihami, Taraki, somass, Lal Loo, Shenali, Shenali Waduge, Nimal Tissa Wijetunga, Jim softy, sach, Nuisance, Champa, …..Patriotic Citizen, Percy, Srinathan.Gunaratnam, Hela, ………………… in the Video clips?
/
Shrikharan / March 14, 2018
Dear Native Vedda.
I must first tell you I love your style of writing . You are certainly an educated person. I really do not know what your real name is and who you are, but I like to get to know you!
The answer to you query is how can I identify any of these cronies as I do not know them!
/
Native Vedda / March 14, 2018
Shrikharan
–
“The answer to you query is how can I identify any of these cronies as I do not know them!”
–
They are the ones who make loud noises hiding behind their or any women folks.
/
Shrikharan / March 15, 2018
Native Vedda
I thought Champa and Nuisance, are females!
/
Harishchandra / March 13, 2018
China, Iran and N. Korea are the only many countries that have banned FB for your knowledge.
/
Jim softy / March 13, 2018
All these web sites are SPy net works.
/
Anonymous / March 13, 2018
Jim Softy, think your paranoia is going to land you in a mental hospital…
Why don’t you stop using all western technology like the computer, mobile phone, TV, radio, shirt, pant, airplane ships and all the technology that came out of the western culture and go live in a cave you hypocrite…
/
Jim softy / March 13, 2018
NOne of these has worked for for the society. Shirt and PAnt is Western. I thin those went from India and china. See India is a very conservative country. See how north indian women wearing something similar to pants. Why rural chinese cultures are wearing pants and shirts. Because the west introduced it.. Sri lanka has liquor, Drugs, alcohol and beach dancing and Face book, like things to introduce sex, alcohol, and drug culture. So, it is good. Is this all you know.
/
Kamalawathie Sameer / March 13, 2018
JimBoar – Why don’t you get yourself admitted to an institution for “appropriate” treatment? Day in and day out you are writing crap!
/
Jo / March 13, 2018
A proper democracy cannot be threatened by fake news or rumors. Not the social media are the reason for the riots but the failure of the government in taking appropriate measures to establish social harmony. The blocking of social media is a short-sighted action which does not solve the problem, but causes enormous economical damage and the population’s discontent and it violates the human rights of the people. The government continously smashes the reputation of the country in the world with decisions like this. What comes next?
/
Lasith / March 13, 2018
Jo
What you say is true, but in our country propaganda rules.
It is because the masses do not use their brains to reason and findout the truth for themselves.
They instead wallow in their ignorance using their heart and emotions as a substitute to asses every situation.
The biggest bullshitter wins!
That is our biggest disease in this country..
I think what we need is a good orientation system, that teaches what it means to be human first and foremost, what our rights and privileges are and how to treat our fellow humans with dignity and love.
If we are all properly grounded in our rights, politicians will have to actually serve the people rather than serving themselves. We should not expect any such favors from the same people who stand to loose by orientating the masses correctly..
Status Quo remains forever.
/
Jo / March 14, 2018
Yes, Lasith, exactly this is point. Politicians serve the people, they are the speakers of their voters, that is the idea in democracy. And the voters need to know, what their powers, but also what their responisiblities are. They have to actively take part in all concerns. And they need to learn to look after the weaker part of the population or minorities, which are also part of the society. Humanity is the key. Fully agree. Strong voters control politicians, not the other way round. There are so many ways to actively take part in political issues and fight for a betterment other than creating riots.
/
Rajash / March 13, 2018
ban face book, ban whatsup, ban Tamils, ban Muslims, ban Hinduism, Ban Islam, ban Christianity, impose emergency rule, impose curfew, worship thugs in yellow robes .
hey pesto the country will prosper
/
Mudson Amerasinghe / March 13, 2018
Rajash,
Yes 100 percent true. Cheevaradarios must be curtailed!
/
Taraki / March 13, 2018
Give the Tamils a third of the land mass and two thirds of the coastline for their exclusive use, let the other Tamils prosper in Colombo and the South, give the up-country Tamils whatever they want, allow the Muslims to have four wives, child brides and abuse their women, let the Christians open churches in every Buddhist village and hey presto, the country will prosper.
/
Sita / March 13, 2018
This is a new one. An attack on Muslims disguised as a suggestion.
/
Native Vedda / March 13, 2018
Taraki
–
“let the other Tamils prosper in Colombo and the South, give the up-country Tamils whatever they want, “
–
So that the Sinhala/Buddhists fascists could periodically organise more successful pogroms against innocent people, rob them, loot them, rape their women folks, destroy their livelihood and claim victory for the lion race. ……………. Isn’t every program becomes their blood sport and the winners have always been the Sinhala/Buddhists fascists?
–
The best part of the blood sport is that the Sinhala/Buddhist are blind to the fact they are racing to hit the bottom. I suspect you have your foot on the accelerator.
/
thrishu / March 13, 2018
Social media being used by westerners to incite people against their government, and to create dissension between ethnic and religious groups. The ruin that they cause is far greater than their social benefits. Companies they run these media are only interested in advertising profits as well as any backhands they get from government and NGOs such as CIA for allowing their clandestine operations; it is all part of western system to divide people and rule, and sell their weapons and whatever. The world survived and even did better before these wasteful apps and tools got here, and families talked to each other. Now everyone just fiddling with their mobiles and no one talks to anybody and gentle friendly conversation within the family members have disappeared. I for one would like these menaces to be banned for ever…. call me a yesterdays man , I don’t care!
/
thrishu / March 13, 2018
It just proves that the majority are mobile phone fidgeting zombies! Go an talk to your sons and daughters, wives and mothers you oafs, and listen to their concerns instead of trying to govern the country. The world may be a better place then!
/
Anonymous / March 13, 2018
Thrishu, the problem is not with social media! The problem is that the police and STF allowed the terrorist mob to vandalize the properties of Sri Lankan citizens instead of arresting those involved in the violence and vandalism and provide them for prosecution. A state unable to arrest and prosecute criminals like these terrorists and unable to protect its citizens is far more serious than social media…
/
Native Vedda / March 13, 2018
thrishu
–
You’ve been missing for quite some time coinciding with beginning of the pogrom.
Was it a profitable venture for you?
/
Hela / March 13, 2018
Suddenly the yahapalanist supporters have found the dangers of social media………..They also found out that some foreign missions are unduly interfering…………..One wonder why? Where were they when foreign embassies directly intervened in smuggling LTTE murderers out of the country or when foreign missions directed the MR regime change project in 2015?
/
Bandara / March 13, 2018
Major General Zoysa and Major Tanesh Dias have even involved in plotting the recent disturbances. Government has much homework left to do.
/
Sinhala_Man / March 13, 2018
Technology is morally neutral. Neither good nor evil. It is what we, humans make of it; how we use it.
–
I’m sure that there was justification for its ban. However, we dare not keep that ban in place. It’ll have the same effect as the old censorship of news. Rumour will take over. For all the advance in technology, human habits and inclinations remain the same.
–
The problem with Social Media is that it is next to impossible to monitor all that goes on. Harin Fernando probably has a point in referring to the difficulty of monitoring what happens in Sinhala posts on Facebook. It must necessarily be monitored by persons knowing the language.
–
I’m a “Sinhala_Man” who tries to be moderate. Not only aren’t there enough of us to monitor, but also, we will be rejected by the the majority of our people. Yes, I know that it’ll be said that I’ve put my foot in my mouth!
–
This fact remains true of all linguistic groups the world over; it is many times easier to rouse others to fury with sensational fiction, than to patiently plug away at reason and logic.
–
We can regress in many ways. There is only one way forward. Our politicians must emulate Sri Sanga Bo. Decide that they will NOT try to hold on. ALL senior Ministers (plus the President) must recognise that by 2020 they should be willing to step out of government. Be prepared to hand over to other, younger people. Resolve to retire. Until then, work to undo the evil that has taken possession of our country, without desiring to blame some social group other than your own.
–
Seems naive? Yes, the TRUTH is not a complicated matter; even a guy of limited intellect like me can see and recognise the TRUTH.
/
Park / March 13, 2018
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
Navin / March 13, 2018
The government did the right thing by shutting down social media sites, at this time.
I have read and seen the hateful comments, lies, and anti Muslim propaganda, and it was the right thing to do, to prevent goons from being provoked into violence, and one Sri Lankan being set against the other. We have to keep in mind, that these elements very easily spread fake news about Wanda Pethi, and Muslims overtaking the Sinhala population, two ridiculous claims, without hesitation, or investigation.
Perhaps it is time for hate websites to be banned.
/
Good Sense / March 13, 2018
Some countries uphold freedom of speech even if the content is inflammatory or promotes hate and in such localities there is no question of total shutdown. Sri Lanka, in the pre-internet age, introduced censorship on the press but never a total ban on all the newspapers although some were engineered to be shut down. If and when an emergency arises, it is natural for a state to take drastic steps. Some welcome the closure of social media for a short time but definitely not for a long time. This view is reflected in the twitter messages of some of the diplomats in Sri Lanka and in my humble view it cannot be called a friendly fire. What is the risk now for hate speech to inflame Sri Lanka again when it is claimed that the culprits, including ring-leaders are under custody? How is it that in Singapore, legal action is taken against individuals who make postings which are considered to be illegal in that country? Even a grandson of Lee Kuan Yew is sued. Singapore has never closed down the Facebook and others. I am no expert in security but what requires is that the identity of the person posting must be known positively. If the identity of the person posting is known and the content is illegal, then whatever normal law can be applied against the poster. If the ban remains it can be misunderstood that it is done for ulterior motive to avoid criticism, thus converting a private interest as a public interest. This reminds me of a quotation from YES MINISTER. “It is not in my interest. I represent the public. So it’s not in the public interest”.
/
RuwanL / March 13, 2018
It is ironical that UNP as a Party used facebook and social media extensively to come to power! They used the social media to sling mud at their opposition which they couldn’t/didn’t prove when they came to power! It is ironical that communal violence always escalated to an unpresidential level during the terms when they were governing the country. Banning social media is not the answer to the problem but counteracting effectively to bring out the truth and taking immediate action is the answer. Its time that we introduced a retirement age to the politicians as we see that there are many old senile (over 70) people as ministers, secretaries and advisers to the President and the Prime minster. It is time for a change to brig the younger professionals to the fore!
/
Champa / March 13, 2018
In December 2017, UN had issued a stern warning to Australia on racial discrimination. Reportedly, UN had asked them to “censor the media and public commentary” but they have rejected.
.
Sri Lankan government is doing the right thing. There is no need for Sri Lanka to wait until UN warns us. Our social media needs filtering. But I don’t agree to government’s suggestion to filtering e-mails which is invasion of privacy and I don’t think no other country does it.
.
The filtering is necessary as parents are helpless as seen in the case of the arrest of two students for posting and sharing hate speech. I don’t think they have realized the gravity of what they were doing until they were arrested. That is why they have cried when taken to courts and then to remand custody at a youth detention centre.
Some say there were even tutorials of how to make petrol bombs!!! I don’t think any parent want their children to receive or share such contents. Some people even blackmail women using FB and some people even share other people’s photos/information without the any consent of the owner.
The most disturbing thing is posting/publishing/sharing child pornography. Therefore, a filtering is necessary.
I remember even during MR’s time, there was talk about banning FB but he didn’t do it. I don’t know why politicians are so concerned about filtering. There is no restriction to share political views or communication on FB which is the right of every citizen.
/
Champa / March 14, 2018
While hunting down others connected with ‘mahasohon’ extremists and checking their connections on social media, the government should check the background of all others who are in custody, 298 in number, many sidekicks of whom had come to Kandy from other areas including the east. Their connections and funding channels should be checked and then blocked for future safety.
/
Anonymous / March 14, 2018
This is turning into a joke!
No need any filtering just arrest those who break the law!
Why all these stories to hide the fact that action is not being taken against those responsible for inciting the racially motivated terrorist attacks on our citizens!?
Just arrest those who were in the mob that vandalized the property of Sri Lankan citizens and those who instigated the violence and prosecute them. simple as that!
Social media is a good tool to identify and keep track of these terrorists. Let them have the freedom to post anything they like but if they break the law there must be arrests follow by legal action. We need the police and legal system to work. no need of some stupid social media ban or filter like some fools with no creative thinking keep recommending…
/
Silva / March 13, 2018
If one sees any hate or any anti- social activities in Social media, pls report it. Facebook is doing it, if its reported to them. Facebook, in no time they would pull down that page for they have a especial purpose dedicated unit to deal with it, and they have several thousands monitors all over world to do this job, they would black list them, and the owners of that page wouldn’t be able to open a another in their name in their life time. They wouldn’t let any one to misuse their platforms for hate and anti-social activities but they are purely created for the good of all. Not only that in extreme cases, they would alert the law enforcement too to initiate criminal actions against culprits for their hate and anti-social activities. If one goes to main Facebook site,they have an especial link for this, click and report it. Any hate message you notice and report it to them. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google, Microsoft and other social media platforms have given individual and joint undertakings to all 28 EU countries’ governments that they take action within 24 hours if hate activities in their platforms are brought to their notice. Therefore, don’t idle, just report, if you see hate in social media, just report and they would do the rest.
/
Harishchandra / March 13, 2018
Tell this to the dimwits who are ruining and not ruling this beautiful country of ours.
/
Real Revolutionist / March 13, 2018
Government has banned social media because the of the inability to withstand hate speech towards government from the people.
Our society is well seasoned so people can withstand criticism; that’s incorrectly being described as hate speech.
There’s a stupid few in any community & the recent clashes were between them & government & especially of the police failure to act correctly on time intensified it & the actual hate speech now is to innocent Sinhala Buddhists.
So this is to tell the diplomatic community, leaders, leaders of fake HR bodies to stop casting hate speech to Sinhala Buddhists.
/
Eagle Eye / March 13, 2018
This is only a pilot project. Real project will come in 2020 when Parliamentary election is due. That will pave the way to continue with the Government without holding election until 2025.
/
jmmysm / March 13, 2018
There is a story where a king gave his monkey a sword and instructed it to kill mosquitos around him. A mosquito landed on the king’s nose and the monkey used the sword which killed the king.
I agree with the shutdown of social media. If the government was astute they should have monitored hate speech and should have persecuted the people before rather than wait for voilence to erupt.
YouTube too is full of vedioes with hate speech and comments. Most of these people can be located and punished.
/
Vettivelu Thanam / March 13, 2018
Daily we find false and imaginary conclusions in the articles written in the mass media of Lanka.
/
Navin / March 13, 2018
Here is the latest on social media being used for genocide and ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. There is no doubt, it is used here in the same way, and we have all seen the ugly racist attacks, the lies, and the hatred, against Muslims. If the government does not want a bloodbath here, they should reject the Wirathu/Gnanasara hate campaign, and find out who is behind them.
“Myanmar: UN blames Facebook for spreading hatred of Rohingya
Facebook has been blamed by UN investigators for playing a leading role in possible genocide in Myanmar by spreading hate speech.
Facebook had no immediate comment on the criticism on Monday, although in the past the company has said that it was working to remove hate speech in Myanmar and ban the people spreading it.
More than 650,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar’s Rakhine state into Bangladesh since insurgent attacks sparked a security crackdown last August. Many have provided harrowing testimonies of murders and rapes by Myanmar security forces.
The UN human rights chief said last week he strongly suspected acts of genocide had taken place. Myanmar’s national security adviser demanded “clear evidence”.
Marzuki Darusman, chairman of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, told reporters that social media had played a “determining role” in Myanmar.”
Time for Sri Lanka to clamp down on hate sites. I hope we see more arrests like the ones we saw recently, haters instigating and spreading false rumors must be dealt with. Article in the Guardian UK
/
Anonymous / March 14, 2018
Navin, the problem is not with the hate speech or posts in social media. When these racist terrorists break the law they are not arrested and prosecuted!!
If that was done and they were severely punished when ever they broke the law they would be under control and limited to verbal and social media hate speech/posts.
We are trying to fix something that is not broken instead of fixing the obvious problem in front of us!
We need the legal system and the police to take action and prosecute these criminal.
Banning social media, hate speech, filtering social media will not change anything.
We will still have inaction from the state against these Racist terrorists…
/
Isharath / March 13, 2018
This is what happens when unsocial people of Sri Lanka use Social Media. Better find ways to socialize those idiots living with unknown fears to be part of the society that dreams for nation’s developments.
/
Ad / March 13, 2018
Did UNP and SLFP learn that FB/Whatsapp caused them to lose? Isn’t it that they are abusing their power? It is finally the people who will decide right and wrong?. MS is jumping a bit too high even though his frauds and crimes are known. People also know the MP’s who sponsored the attacks and that MS is protecting them. If IGP and the legislature had sincere wishes to nip at the bud, hate speech could have been tracked at the very beginning. Why did MS and RW delay in curbing the crime on time when news broke out? Why are the Thajudeen, Lasantha, Welikade probes are being dragged? Is it because FB or Whatsapp? Harin and Harsha also like to periodically bullshit the learned society, thinking people are fools. If there is one person with common sense in the parliament, he will impeach the President.
/
Mudson Amerasinghe / March 13, 2018
Immediate ban on web sites like lanka c news, Hiru, derana, and Killi Maharaja’s gutter channels should be implemented soon.
One particular Channel has allocated 30 minutes everyday 24×7 for the past 30 months in attacking the PM.
/
RuwanL / March 13, 2018
It is ironical that UNP as a Party used facebook and social media extensively to come to power! They used the social media to sling mud at their opposition which they couldn’t/didn’t prove when they came to power! It is ironical that communal violence always escalated to an unpresidential level during the terms when they were governing the country. Banning social media is not the answer to the problem but counteracting effectively to bring out the truth and taking immediate action is the answer. Its time that we introduced a retirement age to the politicians as we see that there are many old senile (over 70) people as ministers, secretaries and advisers to the President and the Prime minster. It is time for a change to bring the younger professionals to the fore!
/
Paul / March 13, 2018
What business is it of these embassies whether Sri Lanka bans Facebook or not? Does Sri Lanka request the US to ban capital punishment and close Guantanamo? We have a domestic and foreign policy run by the US & the West thanks to this shameless government.
/
Patriotic Citizen / March 13, 2018
Navin……………….. I Must ask U And Others How Can Ven Wirathu Thero And Ven Gnanasara Thero Is Spreading Hatred………Or Talking Hate Speach……As According to our knowledge They Appear on behalf of their mother lands and its people and they are patriots………More Over U Have Adressed Two Most Famous And Populour Buddhist Preists By Their Names Itself Not Caring That They Are Most Venerables………….HOW IS THAT……….ISNT IT THAT YOU ARE SPREADING HATRED………………..The Real Exremists…..Mr Or Nana Or Sahib Or Mahaththaya Or Dorai NAVIN…..Its Very Dirty Of You And Other Alike You
/
K.Pillai / March 13, 2018
Remember the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November 2013 held in Colombo. MR was at the helm. Canada and Mauritius boycotted, Indian PM did not attend. British PM did some straight talking. The murder of Briton Khuram Shaikh was discussed.
The only Commonwealth leader to openly offer support to MR was the then Australian PM Tony Abbott. He even hinted “A little torture is necessary”. To facilitate this he donated two high speed patrol boats – (Where are these now?)
The Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Bryce Hutchesson tweeted, “Time, overdue, to lift Sri Lanka’s blanket blocking of key social media platforms – a blunt instrument.” My my my foot!
/
roy / March 13, 2018
More than banning social media , the people of Srilanka should be educated about the racial violence which destroyed so many countries and their economy.
Mara and Gota are on the wrong strategy ,by using Buddhism they will never run the country already they have created so many thugs like Gnanasara ,the consequences can be lethal not only it will backfire on them but it will be a catastrophe for the whole country unless they take early measures like bringing Sarath Fonska to eradicate this kind of terrorism before it is too late.
They tried their best to create terrorists among Muslims “thankfully” we have not seen any so far.
Hope Srilanka won’t be another Burma ,Afganistan or Syria.
God bless Srilanka!
/
Mallaiyuran / March 13, 2018
Country is fully ripened to stage Bolsheviks coup (or revolution) by Sinhala Buddhists. Sinhala Intellectuals, the Bourgeois are tightening their Amude to jump into the field in support to the Bolsheviks. Then the world History books will carry a chapter for “Biriyani and Arrack Revolution” as the next chapter to the “War crime of Old Royals and the Rapist Army of 2000s”. The Tsar Ranil has no clue of who the Bourgeois, or who the Bolsheviks of his country. He is the master mind of defeating UNP for 25 years. With name of Mr. Clean he robs and prison Tamils Modayas for that crime. All what he can do is to bring Chinese army to control the Coup –Revolution, like Sirimavo brought Indian army to control JVP in 1971.
Ranil is giving promise to UNHRC that Resolution 30/1 will be implemented fully. New King promised in Japan that China will be controlled Dragon Army using Hangbangtota to launch missiles on Japan, but not to help Rapist Army to put down any local “Biriyani and Arrack” coup. They (Ranil and New King) are twins in giving promises.
War without witness was success and Rupavahini made few pennies by selling media clips to International Media as “LTTE killing”, while 300,000 Tamils were being killed by Rapist Army during the 30 years of war. There is no account of LTTE haven killed even 1000 civilians but JVP said to have killed 12,000 civilians in 1989 struggle alone.
This is where the Social Media ban becomes necessary, not because of it is internally spreading hating i.e. War with Muslims without Witness.
/