Yudhanjaya Wijeratne, a Colombo-based data and social media researcher, told CNN Business that journalists, activists and policymakers were acting "like hammers looking for nails." "Shutting down social media at such a time when people whose loved ones have died are seeking answers seems selfish and politically motivated," she added. Wijeratne said that social media allowed for "the democratization of information in a country where government and politicians have tightly controlled much of traditional media." Facebook FB representative told CNN on Sunday , "We are aware of the government's statement regarding the temporary blocking of social media platforms. Facebook said it had been working to support law enforcement in Sri Lanka and to identify content that violates the company's standards.

Source: CNN April 23, 2019 10:46 UTC