Buddhist Monk Spreads Anti-Muslim Venom Amid Social Media Ban
MARCH 9, 2018Even though the Sri Lankan government has banned social media, Islamophobes are still spreading anti-Muslim venom on various social media platforms, Colombo Telegraph observed.
For instance a Buddhist monk called Budhdha Rakkhitha has yesterday uploaded the following video clip on his Facebook page and threatened Muslims again. The racist video clip, full of anti-Muslim rhetoric, is currently going viral in certain social media circles.
On 7th March, the Government has moved to clamp down on social media, presumably as a measure to curb rumor-mongering following the inter-communal clashes in the Kandy District.
President Maithripala Sirisena has directed the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission to enforce this block for three days.
Accordingly, Facebook access has been withdrawn while group chats in Whatsapp have been blocked. Video and audio messages cannot be sent on Whatsapp.
Meanwhile a 14-day detention order on the 10 suspects arrested on charges of inciting violence in Kandy, had been issued using emergency regulations that are in place at present.
The detention order was issued by the DIG of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID). The suspects were brought to Colombo for questioning, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera told media. The curfew would be re-imposed in the Kandy District except in the Kandy Municipality areas from 8 p.m today till 5 a.m. tomorrow. So far no monk has been arrested, Colombo Telegraph learns.
