In the past, people believed everything that politicians said and anything which appeared in main stream media and all other social media. But gradually the possibility of misleading Sri Lankans through fabricated information is declining. Now, people only believe scientifically proven facts and not what is said in local and foreign media.
The best example came recently with the`abduction’ of a local employee attached to a foreign embassy. I was seated in an air conditioned private bus which was about to leave from Maharagama to Panadura through the expressway built before 2015. It was a Saturday evening. A middle aged lady came and sat next to me. I smiled with her while giving her more space. “Ah! daughter I have enough space here. You do not need to move further,” she said.
I smiled again. “Are you getting down at Panadura ?” she questioned. `”No aunty, I will get down five kilometres before the Panadura town. I am on my way home after visiting a friend who is receiving treatment at the Cancer Hospital”. I said. “Oh ! I See. I also visited my grand daughter who is receiving treatment at the cancer hospital”, she said. “She is suffering from Leukemia but doctors said it is curable. Earlier there were no drugs in the cancer hospital and we had to spend a lo t of money but fortunately now there are drugs. So, we are relieved. The other thing is, thanks to the Government which ruled the country before 2015, we have this expressway to travel to the cancer hospital in less than an hour. I still remember in the past, how many buses we took and what a long time we spent to go the cancer hospital. It was a mini war “, she said.
As soon as she finished her story my mobile phone rang signaling that I had received a short message. I took my mobile phone and checked it. The aged lady was a curious person. I told her `it was just a news alert aunty...about that embassy lady who said that she had been abducted.... “Ah ! I see....daughter....my son is working in a private firm in Colombo. He told us last night that mother Lanka has been saved by science. You know he said the scientific facts found from telecommunication towers and other technical equipment involved in communication activities had proved the truth. So, now people cannot say science and technical information is wrong’, she said.
As soon as she ended her long speech I received another short message. Again I took my mobile and checked it. Now the lady is directly looking at me...expecting me to tell what it is no matter how private it is....
“Aunty...it was about the arrest of a former Cabinet Minister...I said very slowly. Ah ! I see....my son said last night that what had been recorded in connection with the incident and the telecommunication tower records tell totally different stories and he got the information from one of his friends. See daughter...no one can beat, change or distort scientific facts and technical information”. I was wondering about her outer appearance and what she is talking about !
“Aunty....I work for media. Where does your son work” ? I posed a very casual question as I was curios of finding out her son’s job which will t let gauge me his `technical knowledge’. Oh, ! he is attached to”....she mentioned the name of a reputed private bank. She took her smart mobile phone and checked for no reason ! “Oh ! I see”, I said.
The destination which I should get down at was nearing…..but…I decided to pass my destination and get down in Panadura town. My requirement was to buy some essential stuff from a supermarket and continuing the chat for more time. “ Are you getting down “?, she questioned. `”No, aunty…I want to buy something from the supermarket so I will get down at Panadura with you”, I said. `”Oh ! that is fantastic because it is very difficult for me to get up and move in this moving bus. Now, I do not have to do it. Thank you !”, she said. I was seated in the corner.
“`Daughter…..now no politician or anyone will be able fool the people and keep them in the dark. Now, we live in a technically advanced era. Science is very strong. Last night my son was watching a DVD till late and he was telling me …”Amma, now CSI Miami has become a reality. Anyone can fool anyone. But not for ever. The truth comes out in an unexpected way and at an unexpected time. Our daughter is married and living in the US. All my son wants from her are original DVDs of world famous science fiction television series’s. He is 28 but still acting like a kid….but he is very intelligent’, she said. We reached Panadura. I helped her to get down from the bus”.