(COLOMBO) – A Sri Lankan pro-environmentalist Buddhist priest on Thursday accused the media of glorifying murders and other violent incidents and went on to liken the island-nation to that of the state of Chicago in the United States.
Different armed groups are killing people in various ways, and the underworld is causing numerous conflicts and he questioned whether this system should continue.
“Tourism has become a major topic in our country and is a key factor in building our economy. When people see this kind of violent behaviour on social media, they are afraid to visit Sri Lanka,” Wanawasi Rahula Thera, founder of the National Namal Uyana, an environmental organization, said.
He also criticized the media for showing murder cases in gory detail.
“I don’t think it is the responsibility of ethical media organizations to broadcast such content. The Government needs to impose laws. People are killing without any fear using firearms, and they shoot each other openly. These types of videos even pollute the minds of small children,” he added.
Therefore, he emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Government to maintain media ethics and bring laws to prevent the spread of such content that confuses and negatively influences children and the public.
