In the face of severe social media backlash against President Maithripala Sirisena‘s conduct, the President Media Division has a deployed a special team to delete all negative comments posted on Sirisena’s Social Media profiles, especially Facebook, Colombo Telegraph learns.
Social Media observers said the covert operation began after the outbreak of the October 26 political crisis, as the President’s conduct earned severe criticism of social media activists. While some activists staged demonstrations on the streets, some ridiculed Sirisena’s posts on social media in protest of his seemingly unconstitutional conduct.
“This forced the President’s Media Division to remove all negative comments posted on the President’s Facebook profile. They even blocked many people who kept posting negative comments on the President’s profile,” a senior official within the President’s office, who is well-familiar with Sirisena’s social media machinery said.
In addition to strong critiques of Sirisena, several journalists are also on the President’s Facebook blocked list. Chamara Sumanapala, a former journalist at ‘The Nation’ newspaper confirmed that he had been blocked from viewing or commenting on the official Facebook page of President Sirisena.
“Since you have blocked me on Facebook, I pose the question here. What are the economic prospects Sri Lanka has in developing trade with the Philippines?,” Sumanapala posted a question to President Sirisena on Thursday, on his official tour to the Philippines.
Our source from the Presidential Secretariat also added: “In addition to those deleting the negative comments, there is also an operation to post positive comments on Sirisena’s posts. The commenters are paid employees of the President’s media team. They have been asked to post positive comments in order to boost the public image of Sirisena. They do that under their own Facebook profiles as well as under multiple fake profiles.”
Colombo Telegraph found that none of the recent Facebook posts on President’s official page had negative comments. The majority of positive comments had also come from seemingly fake profiles.
The Director of Social Media for President Sirisena is a person named Sameera de Silva, a former announcer of Sirasa TV, a channel owned by controversial businessman R. Rajamahendran alias Killi Maharaja. However, the de facto Head of President Sirisena’s social media operation is his own son, Daham Sirisena, who apparently gives a daily social media briefing to Sirisena at the breakfast table.
“In addition to their own social media operations, Daham also briefs President Sirisena on social media reactions to the President’s actions. How well Daham understands social media, however, is a different issue,” the spokesman added.
Colombo Telegraph exclusively reported in November that the President’s office has demanded Facebook Inc to disclose confidential information pertaining to pages operated by 16 politicians.
The details President Sirisena’s office had requested from Facebook Inc included the names of Admins and Editors, their IP addresses and locations, details pertaining to the engagement of these pages, their demographics, and other confidential information that are usually inaccessible to third parties.
Naman / January 20, 2019
If one is a sensible and sane person, he/She will read both the positive and negative comments about their actions.
Strong and Straight people are always ready to face the criticisms and rectify their actions. This should certainly apply to our rulers. Dear President do the right things for the benefit of the ENTIRE country.
Please visit Malaysia and meet up with Mahathir the PM of Malaysia for some good advice and for economic collaborations
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nimal fernando / January 21, 2019
If you look at it straight ……… Sirisena was just the cat’s paw to get rid of Mahinda …….. to expect anything more from him is our own folly.
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That’s how things happen in Lanka.
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Hope …… despair …….hope ……..despair ……. hope ……. despair …….. hope ……….
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Sam Fernando / January 21, 2019
SillySena is really scraping the bottom of the barrel with his current behaviour. See the country s economy is fallen to all unexpected levels, but sillysena toured to Philiphines as if that should be on the top of country s agenda.
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Why nature too stays mum ? Tidal wave of fury almost kill the people.
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Rarityminds / January 21, 2019
If DAHAM SILLYSENA is to be the incharge to control Social Media against Sillisena today, he could react like MERVIN de Silva ‘s son. These offsprings are reported to be even lower educated than that of the murderous 3 sons of Rajaakshe:
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Not a single commenter would respect SORRYSENA today. Just looking at him a sorrysight.
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If this man would have been in Middle east, everyone would join hand to stone him on broad day light. That is crystal clear.
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Fathima / January 20, 2019
CT,
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Many companies, businesses, schools, politicians, celebrities, and individuals do that. Even though he should not be using state resources doing that, he still has the right to maintain his personal FB page.
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Suren / January 20, 2019
Damage control is useless, and wouldn’t be a ramady in the long run, and Sirisena should think well before jumping- how deep is the pit. This man struggles to find a way out, after falling into the cesspit. Now a days, in the cyberspace, there are tons and tons of criticisms and funny jokes of him, which he wouldn’t deserve, if he conducts himself thoughtfully with abundantly good advises, and which he sadly lacks for a good measure.
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Anonymous / January 20, 2019
About time President Maithripala Sirisena and the Rajapaksas are prosecuted for treason for leading #CoupLk before they destroyed our beloved country…
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Ad / January 20, 2019
At the citizens expense of course.
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Babalathappu / January 20, 2019
CT please expose also how they finance PMD, by pvt funds or stolen from tax payers
At the begining of Good governance, very SAME Sorrisena curtailed all the expenses wasted for extra vaganzas. The kind of dramtic moves, caused him to score at the begining. Indeed that praised by locals and across the world.
But but his estranged behavoiur was displyed to the world last October. Yet today, he has been on it, as we the rights activists cant tolerate him being in the seat for an hour now.
His PMD itself to appoint henchmen abusing state funds is beyond all bearing.
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Lanken state is now in Red, struggling to scratch every ct to pay off huge debts being traped to chinesse and other nations (however the larger portion of all the debts to be paid off during 2019 were made by former President lanken Mugabe- Mahinda Rajapkashe. It is estimated (ball park figured) as 60%.
Current Central Bank Governer Kumarasawamy made it clear that like 5000 million US$ need to be paid off LIKE or NOT.
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Vijekumar / January 21, 2019
I don’t understand why all the Bhikkus are interested in politics and they kept their mouth shut when we had constitutional crisis. They wiry more about religion than people lives.
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Bubbuladewi / January 20, 2019
Lanken President – SORRISENA (SORRY + nature of that SENA catepillars who eats out the farming these days) shoudl be impeached, not waiting a day.
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This man is a pain. Longer we wait, the even more danger we will have to face.
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Now, It is high time him to face the music.
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Anonymous / January 20, 2019
One thing that President Rodrigo Duterte and Maithripala Sirisena have in common is that they are both mentally unstable and unfit to play the role of President…
The choice of world leaders our mentality unwell President looks upto as good examples speaks volumes about his poor quality and how he is unfit to be a leader.
Both should be impeached and tried for treason…
Poor quality leader can’t stand criticism and can’t stand good leadership that can rule a nation while giving the people full freedom to the citizens while maintaining strong law and order without turning into a dictatorship.
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old codger / January 20, 2019
Maru Sira has no understanding of social media, and his son is hardly an intellectual giant. Sira should stop fighting the inevitable tsunami which will bury him and what’s left of his SLFP at the next election. Ih he had any self-respect , this idiot would have resigned with the Supreme Court verdict. But then, what would a Gamarala know about self-respect?
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wannihami / January 21, 2019
C’mon man an eight year old can do what this article alleges, and every 13 year old and above who has a FB page does that. This is not news, just primary school gossip.
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JD / January 20, 2019
PAw Da Common Candidate project of LTTE Tamils. EELAM WAR V is on. All Drug money wasted.
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craig / January 20, 2019
Daham, if you are reading this please ask your dad to stop making a fool of himself. He should retire from politics without contesting for president again. Otherwise the rajapakse’s will make mincemeat of him. Look after your dad. And watch out for Namal and Yoshitha. They already have some plans for you.
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mike / January 21, 2019
craig – “And watch out for Namal and Yoshitha. They already have some plans for you.” Yes, the GCE (OL) failed Mongol “lowyer” has some plans for Daham, something similar to the “Thajudeen Case.”
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JD / January 20, 2019
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Umbe. Watte / January 20, 2019
This uncouth illiterate SOB is a.disgrace to SL and must be impeached asap. The arsehole is having his retarded son managing his mafia circus is a joke. The bastard should not be allowed to show his face in public who will throw shit at this scumbag and moron of a president. No ethics, morality and decency left in this wretched specimen of a human animal.
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Vijekumar / January 21, 2019
Great sir I am angry like you and you are real patriotic person
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Samson Gunawardhana / January 21, 2019
Umbe. Watte@I can understand your pain.
But dont you think not just the man entire structure is abusive. It is a mamooth work if anyone would make genuine efforts to improve it. Media and rascals are entwined. They have formed a symbiosis for their survival. I find the media is even thousand times worst than politicians.
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Buddhist / January 20, 2019
When we have an illiterate President who pardons court ordered sentence for racist acts, who promotes and gives high armed services positions to murderers and who appoints pinata seat MPs in the Parliament and enables them to dictate terms to elected MPs and Government, what else can we expect from him?
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Samson Gunawardhana / January 21, 2019
Buddhist@,
You and I feel it is black and white that we can let this man ruin it further.
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But masses over 90% of lanken populace are misled by main stream media.
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Either the Media ignores the vital issues, or make every effort to understate them.
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Reasoning is MEDIA and rude politicians work together.
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Consequence is PEOPLE are kept in dark for such a long time.
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Amarasiri / January 20, 2019
RE Sirisena’s Desperate Attempts To Evade Social Media Backlash: Paid Teams Deployed To Remove Negative Comments On Sirisena’s Facebook Page
He is trying to shut down , freedom of speech, after committing the illegal and unconstitutional coup with Mahinda Rajapaksa What he is looking for is to become President for the second term
When will the parliament impeach him?
The executive presidency should be abolished .Let Sirisena, the Traitor, Quisling, Sevalaya, Mala-Perethaya, Pachaya etc go back to Poloannaruwa
Must put posters all across the courtry, exposing Sirisena, the Traitor, Quisling, Sevalaya, Mala-Perethaya, Pachaya
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JD / January 21, 2019
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Ruwan / January 21, 2019
Well… the damage is done regardless of what he does to his FB comments. Gamarala has shown to the world that he is a useless asshole. Ass hole has a purpose but this ass has no purpose because he eats his own shit:-)
No matter what Gamaya does now….He is doomed and better pack his bags to spend his retirement in Polonnaruwa…. provided that he survives MR’s onslaught….. MR has been fooled/humiliated twice by Gamarala. MR clan would not leave this ass unharmed when he is finished:-) Hope Gamaya dig a 10 feet deep grave:-)
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JD / January 21, 2019
President Sirisema Must become a TRUMP. See how every one is behaving towards TRUMP. So, these NGO MAFIA and SINKING SHIP UNP ARE NEGLIGIBLE.
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Eagle Eye / January 21, 2019
LTTE tried to ruin this country using bombs and failed. Now they are trying to ruin this country using drugs. President Sirisena, do not listen to these Human Rights parasites thriving on $$$s. Mahinda Rajapakse led the war against LTTE terrorists and won. You lead the war against drugs. People in this country are behind you. Demala mothers who got relieved from the fear that their children will be snatched by LTTE terrorists are grateful to Mahinda Rajapakse. In the same way Demala, Sinhala and Muslim mothers will be eternally grateful to you if you save their children from LTTE drug barons.
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Native Vedda / January 21, 2019
Eagle Blind Eye
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“LTTE tried to ruin this country using bombs and failed. “
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LTTE also helped to ruin this island.
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wannihami / January 21, 2019
Is this news CT? Every kid with a FB account does what you alleges that President has done, why not? Why would you want negative comments on the profile? I don’t believe he would have employed an army of people for this, looking at Presidents’s FB traffic, one 12 year old on 10 Rupees per hour will be able do it gladly and easily.
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Eagle Eye / January 21, 2019
Judging from what Milk-ella is talking these days, one wonders whether the ‘Koti Diaspora’ has oiled his palm. He said this time Demala people have cooperated in preparing the constitution and Sinhalayo should make use of that opportunity. Is he implying that Sinhalayo should accept a constitution that contains all the proposals of Demala people?
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Yesterday I heard him saying TNA has agreed to drop the proposal to put ‘Orumitta Nadu’ and put ‘Ekeeya’ in the Sinhala, English and Demala versions. They checked whether it is possible to put ‘Orumitta Nadu’ which means a collection of several units (confederate) instead of ‘Ottiraachchi’ (hope I got the right word) which means ‘Unitary’ but when they saw the opposition, they decided to use the Sinhala word to take Sinhalayo for a ride. It is a pity that as a veteran politician he cannot get the game plan of TNA. This is an attempt by TNA to sugar coat the bitter pill. TNA wants to put ‘Ekeeya’ to mislead Sinhalayo without changing the dangerous things they have inserted inside the constitution.
Bandula Gunawardena who Chaired the sub-committee on Finance says that those who prepared the draft (according to Sumanthiram) or report (according to PM) has included several things under Finance that were never discussed in their deliberations. All these things are related to increasing powers of Provincial Councils. Same goes for Land and Police powers. They have used wordings in a cunning way. What our elders told about Demala people (if I write it, probably the Editor will chop this comment) is really true.
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Rwkd / January 21, 2019
When a mentally inferior individual is given an opportunity which is beyond his capacity he would resort to any means to cover up his incapability. But come tomorrow the reality will slap him on his face
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Jay / January 21, 2019
I blame Chandrika for bringing in this idiot to presidency
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Palitha / January 21, 2019
Mitreepala is so unpopular he is facebook is full of negative comments who will comment positively what he is talking and doing
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lankaman / January 21, 2019
MS has shown again that he cannot stomach criticism of him. Most recent example is denying SF of a ministerial portfolio saying SF very badly criticized him. A president should act like a statesman by being open to criticism, both positive and negative. MS shows his immature, childish and small minded character by behaving this way
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rbh / January 21, 2019
Deployed a special team to delete all negative comments posted////
How can you have a negative action and positive out come it is what people are thinking you cannot erase people thoughts. people are not commenting it is suggesting and sending messaging for the ideas of positive action for the negative decision.
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K.Pillai / January 21, 2019
President Sirisena desperately attempts to evade Social Media Backlash. That is reasonable.
But unreasonable deploying paid teams (by taxpayer) to remove negative comments On Sirisena’s Facebook Page.
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The warmth he exuded to Duarte will tarnish our name.
MS must learn the lesson here.
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Hanan C S / January 23, 2019
MS should learn how to face the criticism as premier leader of this nation together with political techniques?
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