COLOMBO (News 1st): The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested a 23-year-old resident of Udahamulla for spreading fake news via social media pertaining to a cyber attack on several state institutions including the Presidential Secretariat, Sri Lanka Police said on Tuesday (Jun. 08).

“A fake news had been published and circulated via social media in respect of a cyber attack on governmental institutions including the Presidential Secretariat and the Foreign Ministry. Accordingly, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) launched investigations into the matter,” Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st.

According to the fake news that circulated via social media, the chairman of a society called the ‘Sri Lanka Information and Technology’ had informed the relevant authorities to take appropriate action to prevent the cyber attack, which the authorities failed to accomplish, the Deputy Police Chief elaborated.

Based on the investigations, the Criminal Investigation Department had arrested the individual who posted the fake news; “He has been identified as a 23-year-old individual of Udahamulla,” DIG Ajith Rohana noted.

The suspect had committed offences under the Computer Crimes Act and he will be produced at the Colombo Chief Magistrate on Tuesday (Jun. 07).

Further investigations are underway.

• Lawyers Collective condemns Anti-Terror, Online Safety Bills
• COPA appoints two sub-committees to look into discrepancies within Health Ministry
• Sajith slams attempts to protect those linked to Easter Sunday attacks
• SLCERT in talks with Anti-Virus developers after ransomware attack wiped email data
• Chinese research ship close to India’s EEZ