Sri Lanka’s government has introduced five-year prison terms for individuals spreading fake news and hate speech on social media platforms. Sri Lanka witnessed a surge in online vitriol and disinformation after anti-Muslim mob attacks[1] where the violent group used social media platforms to organize attacks on religious minorities, and Easter suicide bombing[2]. Sri Lankan social networks also saw a surge in fake news during corona virus pandemic[3] and during elections[4]. The spread of misleading content on the web and hate speech can cause divisions in the society, religious and ethnic conflicts, and jeopardize people and communities working for betterment. Once again, Sri Lanka is witnessing sudden surge in disinformation amid the economic crisis, this report is an effort to debunk the disinformation being spread on social media platforms in Sri Lanka.

[1] https://www.historyworkshop.org.uk/a-brief-history-of-anti-muslim-violence-in-sri-lanka/

[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/sri-lanka-bombings-latest-updates/2019/04/22/f2afe32a-6531-11e9-a698-2a8f808c9cfb_story.html

[3] https://www.freiheit.org/sri-lanka/sri-lankas-fight-against-infodemic-during-pandemic

[4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/11/facebook-sri-lanka-election-fake-news