Strict restrictions in Sri Lanka; Ban on social media, curfew continues

COLOMBO: Further restrictions have been imposed in Sri Lanka. Social media has been banned. Twelve social medias including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp have been banned. The government explained that the move is to prevent the spread of false information.

Social medias have called for a nationwide ‘Arab Spring’ (anti-government uprising in the Middle East a decade ago) protests today demanding the resignation of the president and prime minister. This was followed by a ban on social media. The army and the police are stationed across the country. The authorities have warned that if anyone goes out unnecessarily, they would be arrested.

Meantime, the curfew that started yesterday evening continues today also. A nationwide 36-hour curfew was imposed following the declaration of a state of emergency. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency around Friday midnight to crush popular protests.