Music artiste Iraj claims political factors behind removal of Facebook page

Music artiste Iraj Weeraratne today (Jul 10) claimed that the decision to remove his Facebook page was motivated by political factors.

Addressing a press briefing, the musician pointed out that the anti-poster campaign against politicians may have led to the blockage of his page on Facebook.

“There is no need of displaying posters to portray any service done to the community by state leaders. Those will remain in the people’s hearts,” Iraj told reporters this afternoon.

He proceeded to note that his Facebook page had been used as a platform to assist in various projects. This included a cancer project worth Rs 1 billion and the purchase of a tractor for a Buddhist monk in Batticaloa.

The musician also pointed out that he had exposed the issue faced by a temple in the Kuragala area which did not have electricity supply. “There were many illegal constructions which were receving electricity in the area,” he noted.

“We also created a huge base to demand the release of Gnanasara Thero since we stand against the decision to imprison monks,” the music artiste added.

Iraj also observed that 1500 Facebook pages have been removed in Sri Lanka so far. “This is being done using the facility to report hate speech as a tool. I have never posted any extremist content on my page,” he claimed.

The musician alleged that the government was removing Facebook pages which they considered was a threat to them since the elections were drawing closer.