Will ban social media if they don’t self-regulate: MS

1 June 2018 02:32 am - 44 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday he had discussed with a US based global institution regarding the issues that had arisen in the country due to social media and that if they were unable to control such issues, he would have to ban social media websites altogether like some other countries had done.

“I summoned a team of experts who work in a global institution in the US that attend to issues pertaining to social media. I discussed with them the influence of the social media has on social and national security, ethnic harmony, integrity of a family and so on because social media has influenced them badly. I also told the US experts that if they could not control what was going on in Sri Lanka, I would take steps to control misusing of social media notwithstanding whoever opposed,” he said.

He added that many other countries had prohibited social media that had resorted to illegal and anti-national acts in this manner.

“We have no issue with web sites as to who does the correct thing and provides good entertainment to the people and useful education to children,” he said.

Addressing a ceremony held yesterday to mark the opening of the new Courts Complex at Welisara, President Sirisena went on to say that the acts of crimes had increased with the advent of modern technology. The crimes which are being committed using computer, smartphones and social media network are on the rise.

There were protests when I took measures to block social media websites during the recent ethnic unrest took place in Kandy. But subsequently, there were accolades and gratitude for actions taken to curb social media platforms.

The IGP gave me a report upon my request on crimes induced by on line websites or social media. When I went through the report, I had goosebumps. Police officers told me that only 10% of crimes committed using modern technology is reported.

There were instances in the recent past where social media was used to influence Judges before the verdicts were delivered. Various fabricated allegations were levelled against Judges. These kinds of malicious campaigns had made the Judges distressed and perturbed. As politicians, we are used to mudslinging but not are the Judges.

A President is a politician. It is extremely inappropriate if a Magistrate or Chief Justice going behind politicians. I make nominations to the Constitutional Council (CC) only the list of names is sent to me by the Chief Justice. He sends me the names after consulting the Judicial Service Commission. There are instances where I consult the Attorney General when there were issues pertaining to nomination of judicial officers to the CC. Sometimes, High Court Judges complain to me on transfers and promotions given to junior ranked Judges over more experienced ones. They also say at times that it was difficult for them to go to the CJ or the JSC to air their grievances. That is why I ask the CJ and AG to create a system to address the grievances of judicial officers.

I was not elected as the Executive President after serving as Prime Minister like all the other Presidents in the past. The people in this country did not give me a mandate on January 8, 2015 not to get jobs but to restore law and order, democracy and independence of judiciary and press. I believe I have fulfilled two out of the three pledges. I have restored the rule of law, strengthened democratic institutions and created a free judiciary and media in the last three years.

President Sirisena said he was one of the most affected victims of social media mudslinging campaigns and said had these kinds of acts been committed during the previous regime, he or she would not have survived much longer.

“There are incidences of character assassinations, mudslinging and tarnishing people's image using social media. I am one of the most affected victims of social media mudslinging campaigns. If this kind of acts committed during the previous regime, he or she would not have survived much longer. Within days they would have been wiped out. But we don’t do this kind of acts and the social or main stream media enjoy the freedom enjoyed by them under this government to the fullest and sling as much mud at us maliciously and in most cruelest ways dishing out fabrications, misinterpretations, character assassinations, half-baked truths and absolute lies,” he emphasized.(Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 44

Ram Friday, 01 June 2018 02:50 AM

Mr President, When in public life Social media reports cannot be avoided. If the cap is right you wear it.

shanthapriya Friday, 01 June 2018 02:31 PM

How much you had to spend for consultations from US. That is also public money

Premalal Saturday, 02 June 2018 10:17 AM

Release the list of 118 without bull shitting.

Wise Donkey Friday, 01 June 2018 04:33 AM

Very sad sir!

Pibi Friday, 01 June 2018 05:14 AM

You deserve it!

Warren Raed Friday, 01 June 2018 04:23 PM

You were the one who gave promises and came into power and didn't keep those promises. No you are attacking those who used the very social media to bring you to power. We know what to do to you by our votes in 2020.

Waco Friday, 01 June 2018 05:49 AM

Every thing boils down to your incapability, inefficiency, and spinelessness. The only remedy you have now is to appoint Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka as the Minister Incharge of Law and Order.You want to look after the Rouges, hence you are reluctant to make this appointment.

Arul Friday, 01 June 2018 01:55 PM

all known VPN is there, why you want to lose worse than this time?

Citizen Perera Friday, 01 June 2018 02:00 PM

Please remember that you are this seat because of social media.

Buddhist Friday, 01 June 2018 02:15 PM

Lets see if he can do this and get away with it. Is he becoming a DICTATOR? Is he so bankrupt. Recent act of his sending the Bond Commission report to the Archives and blocking it from public view for 30 years again shows he is fast becoming a DICTATOR.

Mohamed Friday, 01 June 2018 02:27 PM

"The people in this country did not give me a mandate on January 8, 2015 not to get jobs but to restore law and order, democracy and independence of judiciary and press. I believe I have fulfilled two out of the three pledges. I have restored the rule of law, strengthened democratic institutions and created a free judiciary and media in the last three years.President Sirisena said he was one of the most affected victims of social media mudslinging campaigns and said had these kinds of acts been committed during the previous regime, he or she would not have survived much longer"Without bias we have to agree with this statement of the President. We have to applaud the President and good governance for thisMr President more has to be done, you are capable of it. Ignore criticism march forward bring the corrupt, looters and criminals of every shade to book in you remaining period in office. At the end you will be happy that your have discharged your duty and earn the nations respect

Gamaya Wednesday, 06 June 2018 03:09 PM

Mohamed, Are you serious or joking?

Jaliya Friday, 01 June 2018 02:37 PM

Social media to Judiciary and transfers of Judges .. he is confused again as always. Freedom of social media will always be there .... how you read what is written in the sites and act up-on them, is considered your personnel responsibility.

Roshan Friday, 01 June 2018 02:52 PM

Anyhow we hve good speechify PM and President....we should happy on this...don't we.....??

Rasi Friday, 01 June 2018 02:54 PM

sooner or later he will become a history!

Ranil Friday, 01 June 2018 02:59 PM

I think this man's ego is growing bigger day by day and it's gonna destroy us all.

STRONG SRI LANKAN Friday, 01 June 2018 02:59 PM

Mr.President, grate if you ban social media website looks to me its now that you have realized please note they are hired for any dirty work do not delay

Azmath Friday, 01 June 2018 03:11 PM

Mr. President.. no need to block any social media work for what you have promised to society give in return what you have spoken then same social media will praise you.Look within your self before you comment. Until this moment what you have given to us.

banda Friday, 01 June 2018 04:24 PM

mega drains with mega deals

C.K.Lankaputhra Friday, 01 June 2018 04:28 PM

I have never heard of an ungrateful leader like MS. For the first time, I say how foolish we were to have voted him.

JIM Friday, 01 June 2018 04:28 PM

Awwww, shut up, you are so full of it.

ranjith Friday, 01 June 2018 04:34 PM

President should not fall into the trap laid by opposition parties loyal to MR in banning Social Media. They continue their efforts to ridicule the President by launching a vigorous social media campaign.President should take into account only those messages where he can correct himself and just ignore the rest.

prageethwijesinghe@hotmail.com Friday, 01 June 2018 04:36 PM

PLAIN STUPIDITY

suda Friday, 01 June 2018 04:40 PM

Is this the biggest problem in the country, USD is sky rocketing due to incapability, economy is down falling. Now this fellow talks about social media.

Ceylon Friday, 01 June 2018 04:42 PM

This stupid traitor is threatening free media to stop revealing his crimes.curse for this dirty garbage.

Warren Raed Friday, 01 June 2018 04:42 PM

I am a world renowned teacher teaching students around the world using Social Media. If you disturb my work, God will definitely not hesitate to punish you because I render a huge service to the society and the nation in the field of education and also the economy by bringing in foreign revenue to the country. Last time you banned the Social Media, so many of my students around the world sitting for prominent international examination were affected and that curse alone is enough for you to lose the 2020 election. Mark my word.

billy Friday, 01 June 2018 07:53 PM

Set a side being a world renowned teacher, you don't sound like a teacher at all. Full of self importance

manithan Friday, 01 June 2018 04:43 PM

He i strongly feel be tested for stress levels to ascertain any depressive disorders and treated, as he will be the president for another 2years

P. de. silva - Canada Friday, 01 June 2018 06:16 PM

This is a very good decision and a step that taken by the president. He gave a speech in public to nude the social media's publishing to mislead the readers and the nation by supporting someone, and shows newspaper openly to the public by sending message to the other medias as well. People of country should know the truth and not the false publishing and propaganda's. Media's has to use the freedom in proper way with out rousing people's lives .

Dhammika Friday, 01 June 2018 07:03 PM

SOCIAL MEDIA is spreading inaccurate and false information as well . its should be made accountable IF TRUTH is to prevail .

lanka Friday, 01 June 2018 06:18 PM

Mr President it is a sad fact that you have become the laughing stock in the whole country. Your tongue is in such a twisted state that it comes out only with baloney.

Chris Friday, 01 June 2018 06:29 PM

Lol this joker should write a book. “How to lose a presidential election 101: yahapala ediion 2020”

Mason Friday, 01 June 2018 06:48 PM

Mr. President you appear to be contradicting one by one your election promises. Why so ? Are you unable to be truthful any more, because your future in politics is threatened.

Sun Friday, 01 June 2018 06:54 PM

Mr. President, from now onwards until the next Presidental and parliamentary elections its better to block all social media sites because uneducated persons are using to sling mud and also oppose anything you do. Also to develop this country which is now being sabotaged by opposition MP's specially distracting persons and slowing down development. Think one day you will be remembered like a hero. Don't take sides, you are the President of all 21 million or so people of this country not only the useless party you are the chairman of. So do what's had to be done. Thank you

Jesus Friday, 01 June 2018 07:26 PM

Very good move man ban it ,Will help the youth to not hate each other

Ceylon Friday, 01 June 2018 09:13 PM

Sirisena is now world known mental case.must expell him by impeachment.

Observer Saturday, 02 June 2018 08:27 AM

Social media has become an number one threat for all the curupted activities engaged by you and your family.you need to all such dirty works in hiding.that is the only reason that you need to block social media.if you are a genuine leader and free from carruption no one will criticize you.

Nic Saturday, 02 June 2018 08:43 AM

Why don't you first regulate and discipline your family - your kids, your kin and all your uneducated business partners? Do you know what social media is all about? Just because things which truly reflect you and your incompetence are widely publicized for the good of SL people - don't resort to your village style thuggery.

FunnyScene Saturday, 02 June 2018 09:19 AM

All the internet models.. and social media influencers.. BOOM.. you're not a model anymore.. End of the money run...

Warren Raed Saturday, 02 June 2018 11:30 AM

This guy is going crazy now because he knows that he will lose the Presidential Election in 2020. This guy underestimates the power of the common man. It is the common man who holds the power in deciding who steers the country forward. He know that he has already lost the trust of the common man. He dug his own grave and now he is trying to take that revenge on those who voted for him via social media. He is thinking from a person from a village point of view not knowing that the world has advanced.

Soma Saturday, 02 June 2018 12:12 PM

Guti kamata niyamithayi2020 aye chande gana hithanna epa ada hetama badubpack karan gedara yanna lesthi wenna.eda katahwen theruna kelinbwada karanna pukuwan bawa ekane rate wena kisima deyak danne natte lajja nathuwa awilla kiyanawa

Nihal Saturday, 02 June 2018 12:19 PM

So his coming out like a lion had ulterior motive. Well thought and preplanned by son and 2 daughters and in-laws. Now we know the man. Taste of the loot is so craving

Student ob Social Media : Req to DM Saturday, 02 June 2018 12:42 PM

I just realized that my comments were too technical... Please refrain from posting any of my comments if chosen for posting already... Thank you...

VJ Saturday, 02 June 2018 04:16 PM

That only proves you are weak and cannot accept criticism. Even though you blocked LEN, there are ways get around the blockade.

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Will ban social media if they don’t self-regulate: MS

Comments - 44

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