Questions over President's New Year message received via SMS

As the New Year dawned yesterday with less colourful activities and little enthusiasm owing to the current situation the country is facing, most Sri Lankans with access to mobile phones received a 'New Year wish' Short Message Service (SMS) text from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

One concerned citizen asked how come mobile telecom operators share contacts with state regulators to send random messages from government leaders and wondered whether taxpayers funds were used. They had done so with the former Presidents as well.

Apart from that, what caught the attention of many is the New Year message issued by the President and posted on the official website. As the Government is obviously becoming more unpopular every day due to the skyrocketing cost of living and economic hardships, the self-assuring message was clear. Here are some excerpts from the message:

"The Government’s action in the face of the destructive effects of the COVID pandemic on the lives of Sri Lankans has been hailed globally. I am pleased to say that the freedom you enjoy today, even in the midst of pandemic restrictions, is the result of the immense sacrifice that all people of this country have made."

"The rejection by the great number of patriots of baseless political tussles that have led to harassment of the people is an affirmation of the people’s trust in government. I invite everyone to make the New Year a transformational year dedicated to realising the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” for the people."