Internet Censorship in Sri Lanka

Internet censorship in the Sri Lanka is conducted under a variety of laws, judicial processes, regulations and other. It is achieved by blocking access to sites as well as the use of laws that criminalise publication or possession of certain types of material. These include regulations against terrorism and pornography.[1]

Most of censorship in Sri Lanka is based on anti-Insurgency.

Against anti-Muslim riots

In 2019, Sri Lankan government blocked various websites mostly social media websites such as Facebook and Viber.[2] The goal behind the ban was said to be to resist the rioters but it was highly criticized.

Aganist anti-government protests

On 3 April 2022, social media websites including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp and Youtube were blocked by the Sri Lankan government to suppress the anti-governement protests amidst the economic crisis.[3][4]

Against LTTE sympathizers

Sri Lankan government have history of blocking various pro-LTTE websites such as Tamilnet and Tamilnation. A government spokesman has said that he is looking to hire hackers to disable Tamilnet.[5][6] Sri Lankan government prohibits the display of the Tamil Eelam flag. These restrictions do not apply to many other Tamil militant flags such as the Flag of PLOTE. There were at least 400 other Tamil Militant groups excluding leftist Tamil Militants.[7]

Flag of Tamil Eelam which is not allowed to be displayed at non-education websites in Sri Lanka

Promoting the LTTE through any social network is a punishable act on the nation. [8]

References
  1. "Popular Tamil website 'blocked'". BBC News. 20 June 2007.
  2. "Sri Lanka attacks: The ban on social media".
  3. "Sri Lanka imposes curfew and blocks social media amid protests". BBC News. April 3, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. "Social media platforms blocked in Sri Lanka". Reuters. April 3, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. "Sri Lanka seeks hackers to down pro-Tiger website". Agence France-Presse (AFP). 20 June 2007. Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
  6. "Sri Lanka blocks 5 news websites over 'insults'". Deseret News. Associated Press. November 7, 2011.
  7. "Sri Lanka blocks Sankathi24 Tamil news website as press crackdown continues".
  8. "Man arrested for promotimg LTTE leader Prabakaran on Tik Tok". DailyMirror.
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