Former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa's tweet about racism has drawn criticism on social media for his unusual choice of words.

Many who responded to the tweet said it was too verbose and lacked clarity. They also commented that they had to refer to a Thesaurus to understand the Opposition Leader's tweet.

"Incipient racism in our society has exacerbated ethnic religious social divisions amongst people in our motherland. This is detrimental and inimical to our country’s national interest. It is contrary to the principles of humanism and humanitarianism," Premadasa tweeted, commenting on the government's decision to cremate all COVID19 patients and suspects. The decision has sparked outrage within the Muslim community as it deprives them of burial rituals warranted by their faith.

Many questioned why Premadasa could not convey his message in a simpler language while some went on to ridicule him on social media.

However, a leading figure in the 'Professionals for Samagi Jana Balawegaya' Rasika Jayakody, a political analyst, adopted a different stance and questioned the morals of those ridiculing Premadasa on social media.

In a Facebook post, he said, "Sajith Premadasa’s speech is frequently criticised as grandiose, but I don’t think it is fair that anyone is ridiculed for the way they speak.

As a former journalist I have spoken to people from many walks of life and I know each speaks in their own manner and to the comfort and ease they feel with their own language. It is discriminatory to ridicule someone based on how they speak and is no different to demeaning someone for not being able to speak English well.

Anyone who has heard Sajith speak, knows he speaks this way, whether in English or Sinhala, so it's a curious fact that many who profess care and concern for rights and justice - especially the Colombo liberal types - think it funny to ridicule and demean him. But then again, the Colombo liberal types have proven time and time again their rules apply only as long as it benefits themselves."