I don't go on Facebook because it's full of fools - Dayasiri

Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara held a special press conference yesterday (05), clarifying a statement he made recently during a discussion on a private television channel. The statement was regarding the need for all political forces in the opposition to unite to defeat the current government, and the possibility of individuals holding racist views, those involved in theft and robbery, or those facing various corruption charges being present within those groups. During the press conference, the MP emphasized that the current administration has launched a severe suppressive program targeting opposition politicians.

He pointed out that what he truly meant by his statement made then was that if the government proceeds to label every individual in the opposition as a thief, a robber, a racist, or a terrorist and imprison them, ultimately, no one would be left to work together collectively as the opposition. He accused the government of attempting to discredit opposition politicians by branding them as criminals, drug traffickers, or corrupt individuals. He also stated that such labeling makes it a serious difficulty for those individuals to prove their innocence and continue their future political activities.

The MP further elaborated, stating:

“What is this government doing now? This government is arresting various people. For example, if I take the issue of Mr. Sugishwara Bandara. His vehicle was stopped in the middle of the road in broad daylight in Colombo, and he was taken away. They take everyone in the opposition like this, and either he becomes a racist, or he becomes a thief. Or he becomes a criminal, or he becomes a drug dealer, or he becomes a terrorist. Based on these three points, a large number of politicians are being pushed inside every day. Then I will end up in jail. Then who will free me? So that's what I said as a point. I don't go on Facebook because it's full of fools. It's not a battleground for intelligent people. All those in our united opposition can be put into this. After they are put in, what do they get? He's a thief, he's a robber, he's a drug dealer. Now, after all of them are taken and put in, who will we work with? As the opposition, who will we work with?”

Meanwhile, the Parliamentarian also commented on the criticisms leveled against him on social media networks, stating that he personally refrains from using Facebook as it is not a space for meaningful discussions or where intelligent people engage in debate. Mr. Dayasiri Jayasekara said he believes that the Facebook social media network is full of fools and that it is not a place where intelligent people debate. He also stated that although he does not use it personally, an official Facebook page is regularly updated with videos, statements, and information about his political activities.