Sri Lanka proposes new law on fake news after Easter attacks

Sri Lanka's government will introduce five-year jail terms for those caught spreing fake news and hate speech on social media, government said on June 5, following a surge in online vitriol and disinformation after Easter suicide attacks.

cabinet of ministers approved a proposal by acting justice minister, which will also see offenders fined one million rupees (USD 5,715), government said in a statement.

It did t immediately release a definition of two offences, but said penal code will be amended to introduce new penalties.

move follows repeated government allegations that platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp have been used to spre online hate, in a country where ethnic divisions still linger after deces of war.

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Sri Lanka shut down internet access in March last year to prevent furr violence when anti-Muslim mobs went on ramp in island nation's central region, killing three people and destroying hundreds of homes, shops, vehicles and mosques.

During violence, mobs used social media platforms to organise attacks against mirity groups.

Sri Lankan social networks also saw a surge in fake news after Easter suicide bombings that left 258 people de and nearly 500 wounded.

A nine-day ban on platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp was introduced following Islamic State-claimed attacks on three churches and three hotels on April 21.

Last month Singapore's parliament passed laws to combat fake news that will allow authorities to order removal of content and could see those convicted of violations imprisoned for up to 10 years. 

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