President’s ‘Facebook’ phobia

MONDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2014

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a ceremony held at Panduwasnuwara National School has said he had received information that an attempt is being made to use school children in political moves through ‘Facebook’ and that he had ordered an investigation regarding it.

Speaking further at the ceremony held on the 11th the President had said that there have been reports that school children have been taken for political affairs through ‘Facebook’ and asked leaders of political parties not to use school children in political work.

He also asked parents not to allow their children to be used in political campaigns adding that he would never allow children to be used in politics.

During the past journalists were murdered, assaulted and abducted. Media institutions were set on fire and the media was officially and unofficially censored. However, a massive opposition against the Rajapaksa regime has developed through ‘Facebook’ and in a future presidential election it could have a great impact on the public.

As such, there is an attempt to ban ‘Facebook’. The government attempted to ban ‘Facebook’ in the recent past pointing at several suicides involving ‘Facebook’ connections. Due to the opposition that surfaced in the society the government had to withdraw its attempt.

Media institutions state if all children of Rajapaksa families could engage in politics, if they could use school children for their political agendas the government cannot deny the right school children have to oppose such moves and their right to expression.