Sri Lanka blocks social media after mosques attacked

LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI / AFP

Sri Lanka has temporarily blocked social media networks and messaging apps following attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned businesses.

Authorities said the block is a short-term measure to prevent the spread of false information in what is described as the worst unrest since the Easter Sunday bombings.

According to reports, several people targeted mosques and Muslim-owned stores in the coastal town of Chilaw in a dispute that started on Facebook.

Police imposed a night-curfew and detained the writer of the facebook post and several attackers. 

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