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Navin Dissanayake’s Tweet on Standup comedy irks British comedian Ricky Gervais

31 May 2023 01:28 pm - 9     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Popular British comedian Ricky Gervais and Former Minister Navin Dissanayake had an interesting Twitter interaction over a tweet posted by the latter on standup comedy.

On Monday, a series of tweets by Dissanayake on freedom of expression stating “Free speech doesn’t mean you can insult, damage the reputation and cause hurt to others through your actions and speech...” caught the Brit’s attention. 

Gervais replied to the tweet saying “I can’t tell you how much hurt your tweet has caused me. I’m really upset by it to be honest. Can you delete it please and apologise immediately?”

Dissanayake responded with “sorry I hurt you @rickygervais but I am not going to delete my tweet cos that’s my freedom of expression mate”

The comedian replied with a “Bingo!” but his sarcasm appeared to be lost on Dissanayake.


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  Comments - 9

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  • Reza Wednesday, 31 May 2023 01:47 PM

    Freedom of expression not verbal garbage hurting race, religion, gender, sexuality. Or playing to NGO money or political asylum agenda etc.

    Kevin Wednesday, 31 May 2023 01:57 PM

    People should be able to express their thoughts freely even though you may not like what they say. As long it's not incitful and cause unrest.

    Unchikun Wednesday, 31 May 2023 02:04 PM

    It connotes that Dissanayake’s English is Montessori level!

    Rohan De Silva Wednesday, 31 May 2023 02:24 PM

    How foolish Navin is? He got caught to Ricky Gervais trap. I am sure Ricky is laughing mow and tell his friends that he fooled a Sri Lankan Politician.

    ChildOfGod Wednesday, 31 May 2023 02:26 PM

    Well said Ricky, hope Navin will educate himself and now understand the meaning of FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Unfortunately, some idiots have taken the sermon of Gerome and running with it, on the way taking the Comedian along too. FOCUS on the SHARKS and their stooges who are responsible for bringing the Country to its knees. All those responsible should be brought before a court of law and get the punishment they deserve and ALL the ill gotten $$$/Rs. should be recovered by freezing their assets in the Country and or overseas wherever possible.

    Ponnaiah Dharmaratnam Wednesday, 31 May 2023 04:53 PM

    Bingo - Wow!!! Thanks Naveen for admitting that you are a nitwit. We have a huge population of Nitwits here. Unfortunately most of them are legislators.

    BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 01 June 2023 02:01 PM

    Nonsense, how about the huge 69% who elected those nitwit "legislators". It also happens this 69% are majority Sinhalese.

    Jude Thursday, 01 June 2023 09:00 AM

    Gervais don't waste your time by responding to that joker Navin.

    lester Thursday, 01 June 2023 02:34 PM

    You cant regulate speech. More courts try to regulate speech, more they make a mockery out of the judicial system. When you commit a murder, courts check to see if the person had criminal intent. How do you check criminal intent for speech? 2 people can say the same thing and it could mean 2 different things based on their tone, location and the audience. In USA, you can bash any religion under freedom of speech and there has never been religious violence so far. And how do you prove what the person said violated n Section 15 of constitution without any social disruption? If I try to kill someone and the person doesn't die, can I be prosecuted for murder? You must prove injury first.


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