Sri Lanka lifts ban on Facebook imposed after spasm of communal violence

Sri Lankan officials said on Thursday they had lifted a ban on Facebook after discussions with the social network, a week after blocking access on the grounds it was being used to fuel communal violence.

At least two people were killed in clashes last week when Sinhalese Buddhists, angered by the killing of a Buddhist driver by Muslims, attacked



mosques and Muslim-owned properties in the central Kandy district.

Some of the violence was instigated by threatening posts on Facebook, according to the government, which on March 7 cut access to Facebook, Viber and WhatsApp. It initially said the ban would last for three days but extended the block without informing the public, users said.