Sri Lankan government today ordered stern action against those who use the social media to spread feelings of communal and religious hatred in the country.
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has ordered the security authorities to take stern action against those who advocate racial and religious hatred using social media like Facebook and Twitter.
Military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya said the minister had issued the order at a meeting with the Ministry of Law and Order.
The order came as the majority Sinhalese and minority Muslim groups were accused of placing content in the social media which raised communal passions following clashes in the southwestern towns of Beruwala, Aluthgama and Dhara Town.
Four persons were killed and nearly 100 wounded in the violence, forcing authorities to impose curfew for days.
There was extensive damage to the properties of the minority community during the deadly riots. It was only yesterday the military began constructing the properties.
Meanwhile, as means of promoting racial and religious peace, the police today organised a peace march with the participation of multi religious communities here.
Police said over 10,000 people took part in the march.
"It is only a small extremist element within all communities who resort to violence. The larger majority want to co-exist," deputy police chief Anura Senanayake said.
