Sri Lanka Policies Affecting Disinformation
From ADTAC Disinformation Inventory
Legislation
In 2019, the Cabinet of Ministers allowed for the changes to the Penal Code to enable legal action "against individuals who disperse statements and hate speech that hinder the peace among communities and national security."[1]
Actions and Initiatives
The Sri Lankan government has employed internet shutdowns to counter disinformation particularly in the wake of violence. The most prominent example was when it shut down various media platforms after Easter Sunday attacks in 2019.[2]
Critics of these shut downs maintain that shutting down social media can also shut down access to information which may be critical during a crisis. Additionally users with VPN access are able to circumvent these shutdowns.[3]
See more: