19. Circulating false report with intent to cause mutiny or an offence against the State, & c

Any person, whether in or outside Sri Lanka who communicates any false statement, with intent to cause any officer, sailor, soldier, or airman in the navy, army or air force of Sri Lanka to mutiny, or with intent to cause fear or alarm to the public, induces any other person to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquillity, commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding seven years, or to a fine not exceeding seven hundred thousand rupees, or to both such imprisonment and fine.