Social media blockade to be lifted by Friday - Harin

Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando said today that the ongoing blockade on several social media sites will be lifted by Friday (16).

Social media sites including Facebook, WhatsApp and Viber have been blocked by the government since March 7 on the grounds that the platforms were being used to spread hate speech and incitement to violence during communal clashes that took place in the Kandy district. 

Minister Fernando has further stated that a group of officials from Facebook are due to arrive in the country on Thursday for talks with government officials. 

The ban on social media sites is expected to be lifted after these discussions. 

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