Facebook protestors launch protest in Colombo against shelter for Myanmar Rogiyans in Sri Lanka

Facebook protestors launch protest in Colombo against shelter for Myanmar Rogiyans in Sri Lanka

Various forms of propaganda was launched across Facebook for the last week saying that thousands of refugees from Myanmar are to be given lodging in Sri Lanka and that they are 'Rogiyans' belonging to the Muslim religion who are battling against Buddhists in Myanmar and therefore they should not be permitted here.

The said propaganda had interpreted the situation that the Rogiyans are a crowd of Extremists and

that they had exchanged a collection of photographs showing destruction of  Buddhist sacred locations. Certain propaganda was aimed at Muslim politicians such as Marikkar and Asad Saly. Comments of arousal too were observed in the Facebook to the effect that before a massive destruction is carried out because of the peace policy of the incumbent regime this impending situation should be opposed. As such, a group of people who organised themselves across the Facebook social website happened to engage in a protest yesterday by displaying support in Colombo to the Myanmar Buddhist government, obstructing Galle Road.

They marched from Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo towards Colpetty Junction and had wanted to hand over a memorandum to the American Embassy. The police permitted 5 individuals this opportunity. The rest of the crowd remained protesting at that spot until they returned and a bus which was on its way resulted in some commotion, but the police were able to settle the situation. The crowd who came there has had Buddhist flags and national flags as well in their possession. Whatever it is, information reveals that this phenomenon had cropped up with some motives of misdirection.

It is actually America who fight against Muslim Extremists across the whole world these days who has provided refuge in Sri Lanka to these Rogiyans who are termed Muslim Extremists by this crowd. In the same way, though it is said that thousands have arrived, it is only 30 refugees who have come here. Some Rogiyans close upon 30 who closed in upon Sri Lanka recently when fleeing from conflicts in Myanmar are by now under the custody of United Nations Organisation.

According to court orders they have been handed over to the UNHCR pertaining to refugees and subsequently at present they are stationed temporarily at a house somewhere in Mt. Lavinia. In respect of accepting them an agreement titled Expression of Interest has been signed by United Nations with the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka and by next December, United Nations would be taking steps to send them off to another land. Seen below is how Rupavahini reported the conflict which occured yesterday during the protest and some opinions expressed across Facebook during the past few days.