Sri Lanka cable operators block Zakir Naik's Peace TV

The two largest cable operators of Sri Lanka have blocked controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's Peace TV following the Easter Sunday carnage in the island nation in which 253 people died.

India and Bangladesh have already banned Peace TV, which has often been used by the Islamic State recruiters for indoctrination and brainwashing youth.

Two of the largest cable operators of Sri Lanka, "Dialogue" and "SLT" have stopped airing Zakir Naik's Peace TV. However, an official announcement regarding the development is yet to be made, the Colombo Gazette reported.

However, the Sri Lankan government has not banned the controversial Peace TV.

Peace TV was launched by Naik's Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation in 2006. An Urdu version was launched in 2009, followed by a Bangla version in 2011. The contents in English, Urdu and Bangla are aired from Dubai.

Bangladesh suspended the channel that featured Naik's preachings after the media reported that militants who attacked a Dhaka cafe in 2016 were his admirers.

Naik is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, promoting enmity between communities, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

Naik fled India on July 1, 2016, and is currently living in Malaysia.

--IANS

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