The Sri Lanka Police has specified the laws under which legal action will be initiated against those spreading fake news on social media.
Issuing a statement, the Police said various individuals and groups have been found to be spreading fake news on social media platforms.
This has created issues with regard to public movement, Covid and Dengue prevention programmes, criminal activities, and disharmony between religions and communities.
Anyone creating, publishing, sharing, forwarding, and aiding the spread of such fake news on social media will be considered to have committed an offence under specific laws, including the Police Ordinance, Penal Code, and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the Police said.
Stating that the freedom of expression of the public is respected, the Police said the Department has been forced to address issues arising due to fake news, which is causing many from the public to unknowingly commit various violations due to unverified and false information.
Therefore, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has appointed a special team to monitor social media for fake news. The special team will initiate action against those found to be creating, publishing, sharing, and forwarding fake news on social media platforms. (NewsWire)
