Police say information on ISIS WhatsApp group operating in SL, not authentic

• If someone was invited to join, they could not leave the group after joining

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Although information was received in connection with a WhatsApp group suspected to be linked to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), police said yesterday that the information provided regarding the WhatsApp group is not authentic.   

An investigation has been launched after the Western Province Intelligence Division received information in connection to the WhatsApp group.   

In that letter, Senior DIG in charge of Western Province and all senior officers of divisions in the province have been informed to be vigilant over the information.   

It was reported that a WhatsApp group called ‘Interschool’ is related to the ISIS and if someone was invited to join, they could not leave the group after joining.  

The Director of the Western Province Intelligence Division has instructed the Senior DIG Western Province that it would be appropriate for the relevant section to conduct a speedy investigation into the information received by them on this WhatsApp group.   

Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa told DailyMirror that police are monitoring all suspicious groups on social media which could be a threat to national security.   

Accordingly the intelligence units identified a similar Whatsapp group that could be suspected to be involved in an extremist group and therefore the relevant authorities have taken action to investigate it immediately.   
The letter was being circulated on various social media and the Police Spokesman said that the information provided regarding the WhatsApp group is not authentic.   

The public is advised to refrain from disseminating such information through social media or any other means as it is an offence punishable under criminal law, SSP Thalduwa said.