WORLD_ Sri Lanka blocks social media and imposes curfew after deadly blasts

NEWS.COM.AU

Sri Lanka blocks social media and imposes curfew after deadly blasts

Hundreds of people have been killed in a series of bomb explosions in Sri Lanka. But the country’s response to the attacks is drawing widespread criticism.

Megan Palin@megan_palin
news.com.au
April 22, 20195:03am



Dead bodies of victims lie inside St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, north of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. Picture: AP Photo/Chamila Karunarathne.Source:AP


A series of eight powerful bomb blasts that ripped through luxury hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka, killing at least 207 people including tourists, has devastated the nation.

Sri Lanka’s government responded swiftly, declaring a state of emergency, and enforcing a national night-time curfew, starting at 6pm Sunday “until further notice”. Security has also been stepped up on the streets and at the country’s main Bandaranaike International Airport.

But one of the country’s more controversial decisions to block social media nationwide in response to the attacks has been slammed by users. Sri Lanka has imposed a ban on sites including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and the popular messaging service WhatsApp, in a bid to control information flow and contain rumours about the bombings. The country has a troubled history with racial violence incited on the platforms but the Easter attacks have no known link to social media.

The “temporary” social media ban imposed by the government has drawn criticism from those trying to connect with loved ones. It has also raised concerns about Sri Lankans’ not having access to accurate or timely information.

In the hours after the attacks, social media users in Sri Lanka reported that the sites were functioning poorly or had ceased working altogether.

“If I don’t reply to your messages it is because WhatsApp and Facebook appears to have been shutdown in Sri Lanka,” Colombo resident Roshni Fernando wrote on Twitter.

Officials confirmed that authorities blocked access to platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp and Viber as part of a broader curfew order in the country.

NetBlocks, a London-based digital-rights group, said the restrictions appeared to be in effect throughout the country.

NetBlocks director Alp Toker said such post-attack shutdowns are often ineffective and can end up creating an information vacuum that’s easily exploited. He said the country was also blocking messaging apps.

“It’s been a while since we saw a post-attack shutdown like this,” Mr Toker said.

“These disruptions are extremely problematic as they limit the public’s ability to seek assistance and check up on friends and family in a time of crisis.”

In a statement, a Facebook spokesperson that people rely on its services to communicate with loved ones and it’s committing to maintaining service in the country.

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READ MORE: https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/sri-lanka-blocks-social-media-and-imposes-curfew-after-deadly-blasts/news-story/277b4072c77a1c8e8886e2060fc418ee


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