Sri Lanka social media blackout : The crisis in Sri Lanka does not seem to be over at the moment. After the nationwide curfew, the Sri Lankan government has blacked out social media across the country after midnight on Sunday, 3 April, that is, social media there is currently completely closed. An internet organization has given this information on Sunday morning.
Social media platforms affected by this action include Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram.
Ban on use of Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp
Netblox tweeted, “Confirmed. Real time network data shows that Sri Lanka has imposed a nationwide social media blackout, blocking access to all platforms including Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp. The government has imposed emergency in view of widespread demonstrations across the country.
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Curfew is already in place
The government had announced a 36-hour curfew from Saturday to Monday even before the proposed protest on Sunday, as the country faces severe power crunch and rising inflation. At the same time, the island nation of 22 million people is going through power blackouts for 13 hours a day. A London-based rights watchdog warned the Sri Lankan government on Saturday that an emergency in the name of public safety should not be an excuse for human rights violations.
Amesti International issued a statement
Amnesty International said in a statement, the declaration of emergency appears to be intended to curtail the right to freedom of association, assembly and movement. “In the context of growing public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the economic crisis, fear may be an attempt to suppress dissent through arbitrary arrests and detentions,” the international organization said.
Why is the situation getting worse
On Friday, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency in Sri Lanka with immediate effect by issuing an Extraordinary Gazette.
The situation has worsened in Sri Lanka due to shortage of foreign exchange and the government is scrambling to secure foreign exchange to pay for fuel imports. At the same time, long lines are being seen in the country for fuel, cooking gas and there is a power cut of 13 hours. In protest, some protesters even turned violent outside the residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
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