Chamal Weerakkody

[Democracy Reporting International Sri Lanka @DRI_SriLanka]

Who paid for the political ads Sri Lankan voters saw during the 2024 election?

More than 30 different currencies were used to fund political advertising targeting Sri Lanka.

Here's why that matters. 🧵

[Pedro Sánchez @sanchezcastejon]

The world, Europe, and Spain have faced this critical moment before. In 2003, a few irresponsible leaders dragged us into an illegal war in the Middle East that brought nothing but insecurity and pain.

Our response then must be our response now:

NO to violations of international law.

NO to the illusion that we can solve the world’s problems with bombs.

NO to repeating the mistakes of the past.

NO TO WAR.
https://t.co/KpRjBfwY4B

[Democracy Reporting International Sri Lanka @DRI_SriLanka]

During elections, the “silence period” is meant to protect voter reflection.

In 2024, that silence did not fully extend online.

We analysed 22,974 political ads on Facebook & Instagram during the parliamentary elections. 🧵

[Democracy Reporting International Sri Lanka @DRI_SriLanka]

🌍 Global conflicts create real uncertainty.

But not every international development translates into an immediate crisis at home.

[Andrew Fidel Fernando @afidelf]

This is the same SLC that convinced ICC to suspend it in late 2023, so that the SLC board could win a domestic battle against the country's then sports minister.

The result of that self-ban was that SL could not host an Under 19 World Cup. Those hotel rooms were also cancelled

[Democracy Reporting International Sri Lanka @DRI_SriLanka]

OGBV follows clear patterns:

🗣️ Hate speech
🚫 Sexual harassment
⚠️ Threats

These tactics reshape political debate and deter participation, creating a chilling effect for women in leadership.

📄 Full study: https://t.co/RuimKAUBji

Co-funded by @EU_Commission | with @factumlk

[Democracy Reporting International Sri Lanka @DRI_SriLanka]

Disinformation does not remain isolated. It migrates. 🧭

Narratives move from niche platforms into broader discourse. We observe this dynamic in recent online discussions concerning PM @Dr_HariniA.

High visibility is used as a tool to normalize harassment and drown out facts.

[Democracy Reporting International Sri Lanka @DRI_SriLanka]

Truth is not the engine of virality. Repetition is. 🔁

A new DRI study reveals a dangerous reality: harmful narratives do not spread because they are factual. They spread because they are repeated until they appear normal.

This "repetition effect" is a primary fuel for OGBV.

[Democracy Reporting International Sri Lanka @DRI_SriLanka]

⚠️ As women gain visibility in Sri Lankan politics, exposure to online violence grows.

During the recent election cycle, higher visibility led to more online attacks against women politicians.

Men did not see the same rise.

⚖️Visibility should not come with harassment.

[Chandani Kirinde 🇱🇰 @ChandaniKirinde]

Hope the first act of a new government will be to repeal the OLS Bill. We have enough repressive laws without adding another to the arsenal used to stifle dissent, clamp down of freedom of speech/expression. @RW_UNP @PodujanaParty digging themselves deeper into the hole with this one.

[Awantha Artigala @awanthaartigala]

Cartoon

[Nalaka Gunawardene @NalakaG]

AIC @asia_aic refutes "certain assertions" by #lka Min of Public Security in @ParliamentLK about #OnlineSafetyBillLK & says #OnlineSafetyBill "is unworkable & would undermine potential growth and foreign direct investment into #SriLanka’s digital economy" https://t.co/sgiNUb0lAh

[W A Wijewardena @waw1949]

A good lesson from an East African leader:Tanzanian President has cancelled Independence celebrations & used money to build 6 dormitories for schools: https://t.co/IeE68XWeXy

[Awantha Artigala @awanthaartigala]

Cartoon

[Umesh Moramudali @UmeshMoramudali]

Ranil doesn’t own the IMF negotiations. Remember that negotiations started way before he became the Prime Minister. IMF negotiate with the government, not with Ranil on individual basis. So Ranil becoming the President isn’t a deciding factor for an IMF program.

[Chandani Kirinde 🇱🇰 @ChandaniKirinde]

Make public the MOU signed between @DullasOfficial & @sjbsrilanka so the public are aware of what the deal is .@sajithpremadasa

[Namini Wijedasa @nimilamalee]

.@TRCSL Chairman, why did you lie? Whose money pays your wages? Suppressing information is one thing. Lying is another. Telco sources also confirmed the letter was sent. If the head of the REGULATORY AUTHORITY lies, what governance? #SriLanka

[Chandani Kirinde 🇱🇰 @ChandaniKirinde]

This is meaningless . He will sit in cabinet , take policy decisions , get involved in tender processes etc. so his companies & those of his friends benefit . This is just one side of how corrupt systems are in SL.

[Marlon Ariyasinghe @MarlonAriy]

Would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to the Sri Lankan parliamentarians on their new apartments.

Thank you @GotabayaR @RW_UNP 👏🏾👏🏾 for bringing much needed economic stability to #SriLanka

[Azzam Ameen @AzzamAmeen]

Drug shortage : Sri Lanka's main children hospital seeks donations from well wishers