Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti has condemned the misrepresentation of his recent World Economic Forum speech, accusing social media users of twisting his remarks for political agendas. He reaffirmed his message about Sri Lanka’s economic potential, the youth brain drain, and the growing threat of narcotics in Asia.
Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti told Parliament today that his speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in China has been distorted and misused by individuals on social media to push personal agendas.
Addressing the House, the Minister clarified that his original remarks were meant to highlight Sri Lanka’s untapped economic potential and its existing resources, which can be leveraged to strengthen the national economy.
“I saw on Facebook and other platforms that parts of my speech at the WEF were twisted and presented out of context, just to suit some people’s narratives,” he said.
Handunnetti reiterated that he had focused on the brain drain crisis impacting Sri Lanka, with educated youth migrating abroad despite benefiting from free education. “It’s a tragedy,” he stated. “It is a loss not only for us but for the entire Asian region.”
He also expressed concern about the increasing inflow of European-origin narcotics into Asia, noting that while Sri Lanka welcomes the tourism industry, the country must remain vigilant against the drug trade that threatens social stability.
“We like tourists, but not drugs,” he said. “We must protect this country and its future.”
The Minister’s response comes amid growing concern over misinformation on social media and its impact on public discourse and international diplomacy.
