Political situation in Sri Lanka

Controversial internet law comes into effect in Sri Lanka 

  

A new law that gives the Sri Lankan government the ability to remove "false statements" on social media comes into force from Thursday, the BBC reports.  

 

The government believes that the purpose of the law is to prevent cybercrime. When it now comes into force, five people from a special commission will be empowered to remove material about events in the country. The commission is appointed by the president and it can also punish people deemed to be breaking the law. 

 

Last year, 8,000 suspected cybercrimes were reported, according to the government.  

 

Human rights groups such as Amnesty are critical and believe that the law is a blow to freedom of expression and a way for politicians to expand their control.

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Activists: The government can expect a backlash  

 

Sri Lanka's new internet law is just another way for the government to limit freedom of expression, according to the human rights group Amnesty, according to the BBC. 

 

The law takes effect on Thursday, barely two years after then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to resign following massive protests. 

 

But the population will not be silenced, according to the activist group March 12 Movement, which rather warns of a "backlash".  

 

The internet law gives a commission, appointed by the president, the power to weed out "false statements" on social media about events in the Asian country.