UncategorizedRestrictions imposed on the messaging platform Viber will be lifted from midnight today (13), the Government Information Department stated. Viber was among several social media and messaging platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp which were blocked by the government last week following communal unrest that occurred in parts of the Kandy district. The government stated that the sites and messaging platforms were being used to spread hate speech and incitement to violence during the unrest. While restrictions on Viber will be lifted, other social media sites including Facebook and messaging platform WhatsApp will continue to be blocked. Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Harin Fernando said today that he expected the ban on Facebook and other social media sites to be lifted by Friday (16), noting that representatives of Facebook are due in the country on Thursday for talks with government officials.

Source: Sunday Times March 13, 2018 13:41 UTC