Sri Lanka blocks Facebook & WhatsApp as anti-Muslim riots follow Easter attacks

Sri Lanka blocked access to Facebook and WhatsApp on Monday after a posting sparked anti-Muslim riots across several towns in the latest fallout from the Easter Sunday attacks.

Christian groups attacked Muslim-owned shops in the northwestern town of Chilaw on Sunday in anger at a Facebook post by a shopkeeper, police said.

Security forces fired into the air to disperse mobs, but the violence spread to nearby towns where Muslim businesses were also attacked.

A night curfew in Chilaw and nearby areas was relaxed on Monday, police said, but the social media ban was brought in to prevent incitement to violence.

The April 21 attacks by jihadist suicide bombers on three hotels and three churches left 258 dead, AFP reported.