Social media regulated to avert mounting protest against govt: Hadunnetti

30 September 2023 03:37 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government is plotting to introduce laws to regulate the media and social media in a move to prevent the mounting protests by the people against the government, JVP politburo member Sunil Hadunnetti said.

He said during a meeting with a group of Sri Lankans in South Korea that the government has introduced various laws to regulate the media as it was well aware that the people are against its actions.

"The media disseminate information to the people. If the government is working to the expectations and not defrauding and looting public property, the government should not be afraid of the people and the media. The government, including the President, knows very well that the people are against them. The President is someone who was rejected by the people. So, he knows that the people are against him. He is afraid of possible protests by the people. If the people tolerate and approve of the government's actions, they are not scared," he said.

Hadunnetti said media and social media have changed remarkably now and added that the governments in the past had taken the electronic media under their control.

He said if the government was attempting to suppress the media, it would be the first occasion where the government would have to come under suppression by the people.

Hadunnetti said former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa also attempted to regulate the media where he banned Facebook and WhatsApp overnight and added that people did not accept it.

"If people had accepted it, he would still be in power. He had to leave the position because he resorted to such actions. If President Ranil Wickremesinghe also looks back and gives it a thought, he will not do such things," he said.(Ajith Siriwardana)

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Comments - 12

Hitler Saturday, 30 September 2023 04:23 PM

THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE MAJORITY IN THE PARLIAMENT TO PASS ANY BILL THEY BRING FORWARD. EVEN IF THERE ARE DISSENTERS, THEY WILL BE HEAVILY BRIBED TO ENSURE THAT THEY RAISED THEIR HANDS IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL. WHAT CAN THOSE IN THE OPPOSITION DO OTHER THAN TO SHOUT AND PROTEST WHICH WILL BE FUTILE ?

Boru na Saturday, 30 September 2023 04:45 PM

Only Sri Lankan bz they don’t have to work, and live with social media That is why most politicians like it

Stork by the sea side Saturday, 30 September 2023 04:55 PM

JVP and its groups are like the stork that waited by the shore, until the sea dries up, so that it can eat fish. They have no international standing. When MR and his group skinned the nation, JVP and the SJB were silent observers which is equal to support. Now Ranil has brought some stability now, they start howling as if they are the most patriotic groups.

Ruwan Saturday, 30 September 2023 05:20 PM

Mr Handunnetti should realise that people aren't wise enough to elect a wise President wisely at this crucial moment.

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 30 September 2023 08:27 PM

JVP or NPP has been protesting since 1971, what has been the result? Probably some people in the leadership got money from foreign parties to create these protests. Other than that there has been no use of these useless protests. These only disrupt the day to day life, destroy the public properties and waste public time and money.

ROSH Saturday, 30 September 2023 09:33 PM

Unelected master debating president love tobe master bated in front of the parliament to become immortal leader. Of course we need to regulate social media to protect his actions in his double bedroom with ex president eaglemaithiri.God bless Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Sunday, 01 October 2023 12:22 AM

In fact, American hegemony played a role in ousting Rajapaksa who was with China in every deal that Sri Lanka needed. And forcibly involved India in Sri Lankan internal affairs to split the United Sri Lanka.

Impotent president Sunday, 01 October 2023 06:53 AM

The more this weakling president and his criminal pohotuwa friends supress the rights of the people, the more people are driven towards the JVP.

Dee Sunday, 01 October 2023 07:54 AM

Subversives!

UniDon Sunday, 01 October 2023 08:30 AM

I am so pleased to hear this from Mr. Handuneethi. When he was a "student leader" at J'pura, he and his gangsters even not allowed to read Ravaya and Yukthiya newspapers within the University premises. I hope what he is currently preaching reflects the genuine change in his attitudes regarding the freedom of speech and dissent.

Cheers Sunday, 01 October 2023 08:35 AM

Country's down fall is NPP people should get together and wipe these fellows including their belongings

melville perera Sunday, 01 October 2023 11:03 PM

the easiest way to control publication of any subject is to issue a gazette notification banning importation and manufacturing of material connected with printing

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Social media regulated to avert mounting protest against govt: Hadunnetti

Comments - 12

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