Several areas in Colombo were completely inundated following torrential rains that lashed the city last night. Amid the flooding, popular YouTuber Iraj Weeraratne released a video on social media showing a metro bus driving along a heavily waterlogged main road.
Standing in the floodwaters, he remarked, 'Wow, a metro bus running underwater,' and strongly lashed out at the Colombo Municipal Council. He claimed that because the municipal council fails to clean the drains, his own youth members would step in to clear them.
Key Points
- Iraj made a video showing a metro bus moving through a flooded road in Colombo.
- He blamed the municipal council for failing to clean the drains.
- Many have criticized him for appearing to make light of a natural disaster.
Heavy backlash on social media
However, following the publication of the video, a massive wave of opposition erupted against him across social media. Many users criticized him, stating it was unacceptable to celebrate a natural disaster for political gain or with the intention of toppling a government, and accused him of amusing himself while the public suffered.
Some pointed out that the situation was caused by an intense rainfall of around 129 mm within a short span of two hours, marking an event seen after 72 years. It was also noted that improper waste disposal into drains by the public contributed to the flooding.
“The whole of Colombo is flooded, these people cannot even clean a drain.”
Iraj Weeraratne
Political motives and disappointed fans
Accusing him of targeting the current administration, some commentators recalled that Colombo was similarly inundated during Gotabaya Rajapaksa's presidency as well.
Others mockingly questioned his state of mind and warned that stepping into contaminated floodwaters put him at risk of contracting rat fever. Meanwhile, several long-time fans expressed disappointment that a musician who produced talented creations in the past had been reduced to this state because of politics.
