Irresponsible social media users to be punished

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Police say stern action will be taken against persons who circulate misinformation on social media platforms pertaining to the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana said numerous unverified information are publicised on Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook and other platforms.

Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo today, DIG Ajith Rohana said three teams consisting of 26 Criminal Investigations Department officers each have been deployed to investigate and take action against persons who recently shared unverified information on social media platforms.

DIG Rohana noted that those who created, published and shared such posts will be identified through the CID teams in the next few days.

He said such persons can be punished for creating undue fear under the Quarantine Ordinance and under the Criminal Code.

DIG Ajith Rohana also said despite various claims only 20 new cases have been detected from outside of the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre that can be linked to the Kandakadu cluster.

He said 447 inmates of the centre and 63 staff members have contracted tested positive for COVID-19. DIG Rohana said out of the new 20 cases linked to the Kandakadu centre 16 are from Rajanganaya and four others are from other parts of the country.

He said although the cases and the spread have been contained, certain persons continue to create undue panic among the people via social media platforms.

DIG Rohana also refuted claims that the virus has spread to several parts of the country from the Kandakadu centre.

DIG Ajith Rohana noted that Police is working alongside health officials and national intelligence units to trace persons who may have associated coronavirus infected persons. He said intelligence units are monitoring all contacts and activities at present.

He also rejected a major incident has occurred in Kandy as portrayed on social media, and noted that like in several parts of the country, a number of persons in Kandy have been directed to quarantine due to the possible exposure to COVID-19 infected individuals.

Meanwhile, DIG Ajith Rohana said investigations are underway to identify persons who circulated a purported map containing restricted areas due to COVID-19 on social media.

He said the incident will be probed and action will be taken against all persons involved in the creation of the document.