Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, Dec 24 (Daily Mirror) – In response to remarks by NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi, who claimed that people have the right to convince others that something true is false, or something false is true, as it is a democratic right, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said that it is wrong to encourage society to accept lies as truth.

Samarasinghe said he believes that Kottahachchi may not have expressed herself as intended and likely meant to convey that the government would not obstruct people’s democratic rights. 

Last week Speaking at an event in Kalutara, Kottahachchi said people also have the right to see the negative side of good things the government is doing and that the government will never block that democratic right.

“You have the complete right to convince any truth as a lie and any lie as a truth. That is your democratic right. You have the right to see the negative side when the government is doing something good. And also, you have the right to praise when a leader, government, institution or an individual is doing something harmful to society,” she said.

Her controversial remarks sparked criticism on social media, with many questioning whether this reflected the stance of the NPP government.

In response, Minister Samarasinghe addressed the issue on a TV program, saying that while people are free to hold their beliefs, the government has a responsibility to inform the public whether something is true or false. 

“It is wrong to tell society to accept lies as truth. As the government, we have the responsibility to rectify such misinformation. Just as people have the right to their views, the government must ensure it does not mislead society,” he said. 

“While anyone can believe a lie as the truth, it doesn’t make it true unless it is universally accepted as such. Truth and falsehood depend on how others react to it,” he said.