The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has formed a special team to take action against the dissemination of false news on social media platforms, said Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana.
“It has been observed that fake news is being circulated in social media, specially the internet during this period. It has also been observed that this fake news creates various issues in respect of public movements and the preventions programmes for dengue and Covid-19.
Therefore, the police intend to take stern action against persons who share, forward or make fake posts. Therefore, the CID is being instructed to deploy a special team to patrol cyber space to gather information about such fake news.ccording to the provisions of section 98 of the Police Ordinance it is an offence if a person creates panic by spreading fake news. In addition, in section 120 of the Penal Code it is also an offence. If anyone creates religious or ethnic disharmony it is considered an offence under section 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act,” DIG Ajith Rohana said, adding that the Police will take stern action against identified perpetrators who create fake news, circulate or forward such fake news.