Sri Lanka blocks social media
Today, Sri Lanka blocked social media platforms, in conjunction with the authorities imposing a curfew throughout the country to contain the escalating protests against the backdrop of the economic crisis in the country.
"Sri Lanka has already imposed a nationwide ban on social media," Internet service watchdog NetBlocks said, according to AFP.
The ban blocked access to platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and Instagram, and the agency confirmed that none of these five platforms could be accessed through local Internet service providers.
Earlier, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency in the country last Friday, after anti-government demonstrations turned violent, including setting police and army vehicles on fire, throwing stones at police forces, and blocking roads in the capital, Colombo.
The demonstrations began amid a severe economic crisis in the country, which suffers from a shortage of basic consumer goods, high inflation and power outages.
She came out of the demonstrations, calling for the resignation of the president and his brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, while the state of emergency requires granting security forces the right to arrest and imprison suspects on a large scale, according to "Reuters".
Rajapaksa, in a notice published in the Sri Lankan Government Gazette, said the decision was taken in the interest of public security, the protection of public order, and to ensure the maintenance of essential supplies and services.
Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news