https://sputnikglobe.com/20220403/sri-lanka-blocks-social-media-as-protesters-violate-curfew-over-worsening-economic-situation-1094436635.html
Sri Lanka Blocks Social Media as Protesters Violate Curfew Over Worsening Economic Situation
Sri Lanka Blocks Social Media as Protesters Violate Curfew Over Worsening Economic Situation
Sputnik International
Around 22 million people in Sri Lanka face a severe shortage of essential commodities, including fuel and medicines. As protesters pressed for the resignation... 03.04.2022, Sputnik International
2022-04-03T06:38+0000
2022-04-03T06:38+0000
2022-08-06T13:36+0000
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Tightening the noose around widespread protests, the Sri Lankan government blocked access to social media on Sunday and imposed strict laws allowing the military to arrest and detain anyone venturing into public places without permission.The stringent laws have been enforced ahead of planned mass protests by non-political citizens' groups against the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government over the worsening economic crisis in the country.The Defence Ministry has directed all service providers in the country to "temporarily restrict social media platforms".Since Saturday evening, Sri Lankan Police have arrested 664 people for violating the curfew currently in effect.The 36-hour curfew has been in place since Saturday evening, and prohibits anyone from going outside their homes without written permission from the local authorities.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered a state of emergency on Friday in the interests of "public security, the protection of public order, and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community".At least two dozen police personnel were injured on Saturday during a violent clash with protesters in Colombo. Despite the crackdown, protesters were adamant about the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, blaming the family for the worsening crisis.The Indian government has supplied additional fuel and cereal grains to the island nation, vowing to provide more assistance to mitigate the crisis.New Delhi has also provided over $2.5 billion in lines of credit, among other assistance, since January of this year.Sri Lanka's forex reserves, around $2.5 billion as per current estimates, dwindled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which crippled tourism and remittances — two primary sources of foreign exchange.The value of the Sri Lankan rupee dropped to a record low, resulting in unaffordable prices for commodities and medicines that triggered protests across the island nation.Let's stay in touch no matter what! Follow our Telegram channel to get all the latest news: https://t.me/sputniknewsus
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Sri Lanka Blocks Social Media as Protesters Violate Curfew Over Worsening Economic Situation
06:38 GMT 03.04.2022 (Updated: 13:36 GMT 06.08.2022) Around 22 million people in Sri Lanka face a severe shortage of essential commodities, including fuel and medicines. As protesters pressed for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the government declared a state of emergency on Friday.
Tightening the noose around widespread protests, the Sri Lankan government blocked access to social media on Sunday and imposed strict laws allowing the military to arrest and detain anyone venturing into public places without permission.
The stringent laws have been enforced ahead of planned
mass protests by non-political citizens' groups against the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government over the worsening economic crisis in the country.
"As directed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), access to Facebook, Messenger, YouTube, WhatsApp, Viber, Twitter, IMO, Instagram, Telegram, Snapchat, and TikTok is restricted with immediate effect until further notice", Dialog Axiata, Sri Lanka's largest telecom service provider said on Sunday.
The Defence Ministry has directed all service providers in the country to "temporarily restrict social media platforms".
Since Saturday evening, Sri Lankan Police have arrested 664 people for violating the curfew currently in effect.
The 36-hour curfew has been in place since Saturday evening, and prohibits anyone from going outside their homes without written permission from the local authorities.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered a
state of emergency on Friday in the interests of "public security, the protection of public order, and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community".
At least two dozen police personnel were injured on Saturday during a violent clash with protesters in Colombo.
Despite the crackdown, protesters were adamant about the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, blaming the family for the worsening crisis.
The Indian government has supplied additional fuel and cereal grains to the island nation, vowing to provide more assistance to mitigate the crisis.
New Delhi has also provided over $2.5 billion in lines of credit, among other assistance, since January of this year.
Sri Lanka's forex reserves, around $2.5 billion as per current estimates, dwindled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which crippled tourism and remittances — two primary sources of foreign exchange.
The value of the Sri Lankan rupee dropped to a record low, resulting in unaffordable prices for commodities and medicines that triggered protests across the island nation.
Let's stay in touch no matter what! Follow our Telegram channel to get all the latest news: https://t.me/sputniknewsus 
