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.
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.[3][4] 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.[5]
![](../I/Tamil_Eelam_Flag.svg.png.webp)
References
- "Popular Tamil website 'blocked'". BBC News. 20 June 2007.
- "Sri Lanka attacks: The ban on social media".
- "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.
- "Sri Lanka blocks 5 news websites over 'insults'". Deseret News. Associated Press. November 7, 2011.
- "Sri Lanka blocks Sankathi24 Tamil news website as press crackdown continues".