Aug 26 (NIA) – Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s official website was hacked late on Thursday night with the hackers making several demands, which appeared on the site.
A group calling itself the “Sri Lankan Youth” posted a statement in Sinhala on the web page of the President’s official site, sources from the President’s office told NIA.
“The site was down for about an hour afterwhich we took control over it. The hackers left a very immature message and the President has been informed,” sources said.
An investigation has been launched into the attack.
The group expressed disappointment over Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s work and warned that the government would have to face a cyber war if the President could not take care of the security of Sri Lankan government websites.
The website had a message flashed across its screen saying “We are currently down for maintenance”.
The website came back online a few hours later.
The message which was posted in Sinhala read as follows –
Dear Mr President,
We are extremely displeased about the decision to hold GCE A\L in April since the Sinhala/Hindu New Year falls in between the exam dates. Therefore, reconsider that decision. Furthermore, take care of the security of Sri Lankan websites. Or else, we will have to face a cyber war.
If you cannot control the situation hold a Presidential Election.
Stop the Prime Minister’s irresponsible work.
Look more into the problems of the university students.
The Sri Lankan Youth”