Government today blocked access to most social media applications, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) of Sri Lanka confirmed that on the request of the Defence Ministry, service providers were advised to temporarily restrict social media platforms.
Even with the Social Media access restricted, most, if not all users in the country seem to be accessing applications using VPNs – also pointed out by Minister of digital technology, Namal Rajapaksa via Twitter.
In an unexpected turn of events, with most Twitter users accessing the application using VPNs, hashtags used by users to show displeasure against the government are now trending in other countries as well.
Several social media users had shared screenshots of hashtags #GoHomeRajapaksas, #GoHomeGota trending in countries like United States, Singapore and Germany. (NewsWire)