Colombo, Dec. 3 (CNF) – Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala has directed the police to invoke emergency regulations to take action against individuals carrying out defamatory social media campaigns targeting the President and several government Ministers.
He issued the instructions during a meeting with police officers, warning that “extremely malicious attacks” are being circulated online against the President and a few selected government figures.
The Deputy Minister said many of these campaigns originate from individuals based overseas and cautioned that continued dissemination of such content would fall under Section 5 of the Public Security Act.
“If this continues for another day or two, the orders issued by the President and the emergency regulations clearly cover this situation,” he said. “No one is permitted to spread false information, distort facts or engage in propaganda that undermines the situation through online platforms or the use of AI technology.”
He further noted that violations could result in imprisonment of more than five years, while certain offenses may carry sentences of up to ten years.
