Sri Lanka Police set up special unit to handle incidents related to Facebook

Sri Lanka Police have set up a special unit under the Criminal Investigations Department to handle incidents related to the online social network Facebook.

According to the Police Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana the unit will handle incidents related to Facebook and take action if a crime has been committed within the country.

He has explained that the incident or the images have to be within Sri Lankan territory for the police to take action.

SSP Rohana told the media that the police have recorded 30 incidents and the new unit has been tasked to investigate complaints of alleged harassment and abuse via social media.

The units will also decide on the action to be taken against the offenders.

Crimes committed due to social media in the country have recorded an increase in the past few months.

The need for action against unauthorized postings on Facebook rose after a school girl recently committed suicide when the principal scolded the girl for a Facebook photo of her posted by her former boyfriend.