Measures to lift Social media ban - President

Measures will be taken to lift the temporary ban imposed on several social media including Viber and WhatsApp soon, President Maithripala Sirisena said. Several social media were banned a few days ago following the recent incidents reported from Kandy. However, it is reported that a few days will be required for the ban to be lifted,” the President said. President Sirisena addressing the Sri Lankan community in Japan, said that people should not misuse social media,especially Facebook. “When considering the recent issues, it has been reported that a few people, mainly use Facebook to spread hatred or create communal disputes for cheap political gain,” the President said. President Sirisena said the Government will enter into an agreement with Internet providers in the future so as to minimize the misuse of Facebook. The President added that the government had no intension what so ever to ban Facebook, but to introduce certain conditions so that it would not be misused to create trouble and chaos.