COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka's government says it is temporarily blocking social media and messaging apps to prevent the spread of "misinformation," the third time it has taken such a step since Easter attacks killed more than 250 people.

The Information Department says the government acted after an exchange of accusations between two people on Facebook led a mob to attack a Muslim-owned shop on Sunday.

Police imposed a curfew on the Catholic-majority town where the mob attack took place, but lifted it Monday morning.

Previous blocks on social media and messaging apps were lifted after several days.

A group of Sri Lankan Muslims with links to the Islamic State group carried out the April 21 suicide attacks on churches and hotels.

There has since been increased communal tension in the Buddhist-majority nation.