Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has blocked comments on his personal Facebook account after users criticised posts he shared in defence of Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi, according to a report.
The criticism relates to the death of the tusker Kavantissa. Members of the public have called on Patabendi to resign, saying the elephant did not receive treatment in time.
The report said Nanayakkara had shared posts that supported the Environment Minister’s position. A large number of social media users then visited his account and posted critical comments, after which he turned off the ability to comment.
The report added that Patabendi had also restricted comments on his own Facebook account. It said the Justice Minister had not applied the same restriction to his page named Harshana Nanayakkara, which remained open to comments, so users could still post their views there.
Background
Kavantissa’s death was the subject of several reports on Saturday. The Daily Mirror reported that a court had ordered an inquiry into the death, and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called for foreign experts to assist with the post-mortem examination.
The Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation defended the department’s efforts to protect the animal, comparing its age to that of an 80-year-old person.
Facebook lets the owner of an account or page choose who may comment on posts, including switching comments off altogether. Article 14(1)(a) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka guarantees every citizen the freedom of speech and expression, including publication.
What it means
Ministers use their social media accounts to share their own positions and government views with the public, and the comment section is one place where readers can respond directly. Restricting comments on one account limits that route of response on that account only.
Readers who wish to raise concerns about the handling of the Kavantissa case can still do so through the channels that remain open, including the courts, Parliament through their elected representatives, and the media.
