Colombo, March 16 (newsin.asia): The Sri Lankan Defense Ministry has decided to take legal action against those who are spreading rumors and posting false and misleading information via social media platforms and other digital media sites on coronavirus to create panic among people.
The ministry took this decision after receiving several complaints about false and misleading statements by some individuals and groups to create a tense situation.
“The Government has taken all the necessary measures to control the spread of COVID-19. In this crisis situation, the entire country needs to be united to protect lives of our people from the virus. It is very disappointing to see how some interested parties and individuals are spreading rumors to mislead people,” Defense Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said according to the ministry’s website.
He said the government would not tolerate the behavior of such people, who are posting false and misleading information on social media platforms. “The Police will take legal action against them,” he added.
The Police Spokesman SP Jaliya Senaratne told the defence.lk that two persons who have posted false and misleading information on their Facebook accounts have already been arrested.
According to the Police Spokesman, a maximum of five-year imprisonment will be given for those individuals for spreading or circulating rumors and false information via social media platforms under the No.24 of the Computer Crimes Act of 2007
Skipping Quarantine Procedure is punishable
The Defense Ministry has asked all passengers from Europe, UK, Iran and South Korea, who had arrived between March 1 and 15, and who had skipped quarantine procedures, to report immediately to the local police station or call the 119 center to register their details. Those who fail to do this will be punished under the Quarantine Laws.