The Sri Lankan government on Monday announced it was temporarily blocking some social media platforms after a spate of attacks on mosques and establishments owned by Muslims in apparent retaliation for the Easter Sunday attacks. Reuters reported the blocked services include Facebook and WhatsApp.
On Sunday, the government imposed a curfew in the town of Chilaw after dozens of people pelted stones at mosques and Muslim-owned establishments. The incidents were attributed to a dispute that started on Facebook, according to reports.
The police arrested the alleged author of the Facebook post, who was identified as Abdul Hameed Mohamed Hasmar. Hasmar had reportedly written, “1 day u will cry”, which was interpreted as being a threat.
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Since the Eastern Sunday attacks, in which over 250 people were killed, Muslim groups across Sri Lanka have complained of harassment. The Sri Lankan government had blocked social media services in the immediate aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks.
Last week, social media services were banned in Negombo following a traffic dispute between Muslims and Christians. Negombo was one of the sites attacked on Easter Sunday.
