Thread by @nomadic_sanjee

I agree with @husnipasha. I was just preparing a tweet on the topic. Yesterday I saw this video being distributed on Fb & Twitter to condemn the JVP/NPP. I
was shocked at the hypocrisy of those who distribute it while condemning the use of children for political gain. 1/

https://twitter.com/husnipasha/status/1598356434487373834

First of all, I disagree with the use of a child in this campaign. Those who compare this to @GretaThunberg are wrong. Greta was 15 y/o and she started #FridaysForFuture all by herself. I knew Greta before she became famous. Please don't buy into far right campaigns. 2/

Greta was telling what she believed as a teen with #aspergersSyndrome that we must be consistent & honest with ourselves.If the house is on fire, then we must act as if the house is on fire. She made us realise that we are all bullshitting about the #ClimateCrisis. 3/

Regarding this NPP campaign, I first saw this on Twitter. I asked the following question from the distributor @Shirazlatiff. Then I got a stream of insults from Kulanthi De Silva, who is convinced anyone who is criticising the post is doing "dirty work" & are "sickos". 4/

After having accused me of doing dirty work for NPP/JVP she deleted the comment. But, she said "you keep gassing on about your blah blahs but leave the kids out of your agenda".
My blah blah was infact if @Shirazlatiff have consent from parents to distribute the kids images. 5/

I think it's high time that some of you who are here to condemn any party/individual criticising the current regime, realise that it is a democracy. Atleast the president claims it is one. Let's behave like one. 6/

Use of children's images by NPP/JVP person on fb is not ethical. @anuradisanayake @Dr_HariniA please investigate. I understand you are a big group of people & need to set your house in order like everyone else. Use of children's images is something we need to reflect.7/

However, I still believe children have a right to give their views on governance. Schools should promote the education of #criticalthinkingskills.Children have a right to question rules, their attire, hypocrisy of adults & corruption etc. #MUN events are an example. 8/

My own daughter went #climatestrking at the age of 7 when @GretaThunberg started protesting. My daughter created the poster herself. Greta was received by @vonderleyen the president of the @EU_Commission as well as world leaders. Children have a right to tell what they think. 9/

Children of #SriLanka have a right to protest for their future just like children all over the world. And ask #accountability from the politicians. That's why I really admire this art competition of @tisrilanka. It shows how children think.

https://twitter.com/tisrilanka/status/1593491483436453889?t=EzcI4VvGNO9UtvDBonIEPw&s=09

10/

While condemning the JVP/NPP for using children for their propaganda, I believe we should also reflect on our own behaviour. We grow up in #SriLanka in a culture of voting for the same political party in the family for generations. Should our children inherit this custom? 11/

There are two topics here.
1. #Noගුටි campaign with child protection legislation that was recently signed. Let's respect children's rights.
2. Promoting #criticalthinkingskills of children and their #civicEducation.
Both are important. 12/

May I please ask everyone who is spreading/sharing/retweeting this video of the child to stop doing it? You may criticise the NPP/JVP action by using a screenshot with a blurred face. 🙏🏾13/

Please unroll @threadreaderapp. Thanks.

It seems it has been done by a fake account.
See post of Chathuranga Abeysinghe . @Chathurangaab
m.facebook.com/story.php?stor… 14/