14. Wantonly giving provocation by false statement to cause riot

Any person, whether in or outside Sri Lanka who maliciously or wantonly, by way of an online account or through an online location, by communicating a false statement, gives provocation to any person or incites any person intending or knowing it to be likely that such provocation or incitement, will cause the offence of rioting to be committed, shall-

if the offence of rioting be committed in consequence of such provocation, be liable to imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding five years, or to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand rupees or to both such imprisonment and fine; and

if the offence of rioting be not committed, be liable to imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding three years, or to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand rupees, or to both such imprisonment and fine.