Fake news rampant after Sri Lanka attacks despite social media ban

Sri Lanka struggled to contain the spread of fake news and disinformation in the wake of the Easter attacks. [AFP]

Sri Lankan social networks saw a surge in fake news after the Easter suicide bombings a month ago despite an official social media blackout, highlighting the inability of governments to contain disinformation, experts said.

A nine-day ban on platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp was introduced following the Islamic State-claimed attacks on churches and hotels on April 21 which killed 258 people and wounded nearly 500.