Sri Lanka Throttles Social Media, Protests as Unrest Builds
- President has sweeping powers to suspend laws, detain citizens
- Several opposition MPs marching to Independence Square: AFP
Protesters set a bus on fire during a demonstration outside the Sri Lankan president's home in Colombo on March 31.
Photographer: Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images
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Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa barred gatherings and ordered internet service providers to restrict social media access, tightening curbs amid demonstrations calling for his ouster over soaring living costs and a foreign exchange crisis.
Several dozen opposition lawmakers had set off on a march toward Independence Square in Colombo, defying a weekend curfew although they were stopped by armed troops. Restrictions to several social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter and WhatsApp were lifted after nearly 13 hours, users reported online.