The Sri Lanka Police have urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media following the circulation of a viral image allegedly showing a dead man on a motorcycle beneath the Kohuwala Bridge.
The Sri Lanka Police have urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media following the circulation of a viral image allegedly showing a dead man on a motorcycle beneath the Kohuwala Bridge.
Police warned that the spread of fake news, misinformation and content that could incite violence may cause serious harm to the public and could amount to a punishable offence under Sri Lankan law.
The public has been advised to follow three basic steps before sharing information online: Check, Verify and Share Responsibly.
Police urged users to check the authenticity of the original source and verify information through reliable and official news sources before sharing it.
Authorities also warned that anyone who deliberately spreads false information with the intention of creating public unrest could face legal action under the Penal Code and the Computer Crimes Act.
The Police called on the public to exercise particular caution when sharing content related to incidents that could cause fear, panic or public alarm.
“Do not share anything without verifying the truth!”
