Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Manusha Nanayakkara today questioned the presence of foreigners in Tissamaharama wearing clothing similar to the Chinese Military’s uniform.
Raising concerns in Parliament today, the MP said that the workers attached to a project in Tissamaharama wearing clothing similar to that of the Chinese military comes at a time when there are fears Sri Lanka will become a Chinese colony.
It was reported that the foreigners are involved in a project to dredge and clean the Tissamaharama Wewa, believed to have been constructed in 3rd Century BC by a Sri Lankan King.
Publishing a story on the controversy, Sirasa News1st tweeted a story with the title “Chinese military involved in joint venture to clean irrigation tanks?”.
News1st said that these uniforms were very much similar to those worn by soldiers in China’s People’s Liberation Army.
Responding to the news report, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo tweeted with a picture saying “Isn’t verification and fact-checking a MUST in the world of journalism? Clickbait or misinformation might only damage a media’s credibility”.
The picture was from online retail site Alibaba, suggesting these dresses were freely available online for purchase.
Responding to the Chinese Embassy, News1st tweeted “Sri Lankan law dictates that ANYONE who is NOT a member of the armed forces is PROHIBITED from wearing any outfit similar to a military uniform. IT IS ILLEGAL! So why isn’t action being taken against camo-clad foreigners at Chinese JV site in Sri Lanka?”. (NewsWire)
Isn't the Verification and Fact-checking a MUST in the world of journalism? Clickbait or misinformation might only damage a media's credibility. https://t.co/w4SQ1TBdhm pic.twitter.com/hUpqMlqRQU
— Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka (@ChinaEmbSL) June 23, 2021
Sri Lankan law dictates that ANYONE who is NOT a member of the armed forces is PROHIBITED from wearing any outfit similar to a military uniform.
IT IS ILLEGAL! So why isn't action being taken against camo-clad foreigners at Chinese JV site in Sri Lanka?#SriLanka #lka
— Newsfirst.lk Sri Lanka (@NewsfirstSL) June 23, 2021