COLOMBO, Dec. 3 -- Sri Lanka Police on Wednesday (3) warned that strict legal action will be taken against individuals spreading false or misleading information amidst the state of emergency currently in effect across the country.

Police Media Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said a special unit established within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has already identified 57 instances of false statements, misleading rumours and malicious digital content circulating across various platforms, including social media.

He said the CID has been instructed to initiate firm legal proceedings against individuals responsible for circulating such misinformation, noting that these actions directly impede national emergency operations.

"CID will ...