Hiting out at fake news and messages disturbing the atmosphere of nation, Sri Lankan government to introduce five-year jail terms for those caught spreading fake news and hate speech on social media, the government said, following a surge in online vitriol and disinformation after the Easter suicide attacks. The cabinet of ministers approved a proposal by the acting justice minister, which will also see offenders fined one million rupees ($5,715), the government said in a statement.
It did not immediately release a definition of the two offences, but said the penal code will be amended to introduce the new penalties.
The move follows repeated government allegations that platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp have been used to spread online hate, in a country where ethnic divisions still linger after decades of war.
Sri Lanka shut down internet access in March last year to prevent further violence when anti-Muslim mobs went on the rampage in the island nation’s central region, killing three people and destroying hundreds of homes, shops, vehicles and mosques.
During the violence, mobs used social media platforms to organise attacks against minority groups.
Sri Lanka govt to introduce 5-year jail terms for spreading fake news, hate speech
