How to unblock social media in Sri Lanka

If you’re living or traveling in Sri Lanka and are trying to unblock Facebook, WhatsApp, or Viber, then your best bet is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN works by hiding your IP address and routing you through a server in another country. This gives you a new IP address allowing you to access any online content which is blocked in Sri Lanka. Social media blocks in Sri Lanka are not uncommon, so it’s a good idea to have a VPN installed before you visit.

A VPN also provides you with increased security, not only will your online data be encrypted, but you will be safer from hackers and Man-in-the-Middle attacks. Plus, by changing your IP address, a VPN allows you to access geo-restricted content, such as TV channels from back home or your home libraries from streaming services like Netflix.

How to bypass Social Media Blocks in Sri Lanka

After you settle on a provider (we recommend one of the options on our list), follow the steps below to safely access social media in Sri Lanka.

Here’s how to access social media in Sri Lanka with a VPN:

1. Settle on a VPN provider from the list above, we particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the native software directly from the app store or the VPN provider’s website.
3. Clear your cookies and cache to remove any lingering location identifiers. Restart your device.
4. Log into the VPN app and select a server outside Sri Lanka to change your IP address. We recommend countries in the West because there are no restrictions on VPN usage there.
5. Wait until a connection is established -this will be confirmed by your VPN client, often with a green light. If using a mobile device, you might also see a VPN symbol at the top of your screen.
6. Open your phone or browser. Your ISP will assume you’re not present in Sri Lanka, and sites like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Viber should now be accessible.

The best VPN for Social Media blocks in Sri Lanka

In this article, we’ll take you through a list of the best VPNs to regain access to Facebook and other social media in Sri Lanka. They’re ranked on the following factors:

• Fast and reliable service
• Robust security standards so your location remains hidden
• Large number of server locations
• Apps for Android and iOS
• Easy to use

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for bypassing social media blocks in Sri Lanka.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is our top choice VPN provider for Sri Lanka. It has been in the VPN business for over ten years, and it’s a highly reliable performer that’s withstood the test of time. NordVPN pegs incredibly fast speeds and is great at unblocking geo-restricted sites.

This VPN operates on a zero-logs policy which means there’s no data retention of any sort related to user sessions, traffic, or timestamps. The company has consistently refused to comply with official requests to hand over user data. The fact that it’s headquartered in Panama helps. This should please privacy enthusiasts.

NordVPN operates over 5,400 servers in 60+ countries, so finding a suitable connection will be straightforward. You can also select servers for more stringent privacy features such as anti-DDoS, double VPN, Tor over VPN, or dedicated IP.

Internet traffic is encrypted via the 256-bit AES protocol and 2,048-bit SSL keys. DNS leak protection is enabled.

Apps for both iOS and Android are offered, along with desktop clients for Windows and MacOS.

BEST VPN FOR SOCIAL MEDIA IN SRI LANKA:NordVPN is our top pick. It’s a great all-rounder that works tirelessly at accessing Facebook and banned chat apps. Connects up to 6 devices simultaneously. Also works well with most popular streaming services and achieves consistently fast speeds. A 30-day money-back guarantee makes it risk-free.

Here’s our review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN and an excellent choice for anyone looking to keep their activities private. That’s because it doesn’t keep any logs whatsoever, a fact that has been independently verified. Further, it accepts three cryptocurrencies, making it fairly easy to sign up anonymously.

This service doesn’t limit its users’ bandwidth or the number of connections. Further, it has more than 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, so it’s easy to find a speedy, low-load server even at peak times. Security features include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a NoBorders mode designed to get around even the strictest country-wide internet blocking. 24/7 support is available via email and live chat.

Surfshark offers user-friendly apps for iOS, MacOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. If you’d prefer, you can manually install it on supported routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark easily unblocks social media sites in Sri Lanka. In fact, with high speeds and strong security features, you can even use services like Netflix safely. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included too.

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Dec 2024

ExpressVPN ships with an easy-to-use interface, and its core service — when judged on speed and the stability of connection — has always performed admirably. Encryption protocols are military-grade and will keep your location hidden.

Specifically, the company uses 256-bit AES-CBC encryption with the utilization of both HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch temporarily halts all web traffic if the connection drops unexpectedly, keeping your connection secure.

There’s a vast repository of servers spread across the world — with more than 3,000 in total. This includes many options in Europe and North America, so you should be able to mask your location without any problems.

Privacy and anonymity are important factors while trying to circumvent the ban in Sri Lanka. ExpressVPN doesn’t store any identifiable data, so that should ease concerns. The only pieces of metadata logged are the date (not time) a user connects to the service, the servers they prefer, and the total bandwidth utilized. Your individual IP address won’t be stored.

It’s also possible to register for the service via a burner email account and pay with Bitcoin if you want to completely eliminate your digital footprint.

There are apps for Android and iOS, and desktop clients for Windows and MacOS.

CHAT FREELY ANYWHERE:ExpressVPN reliably circumvents censored social media sites and chat apps like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Viber. It offers fast connections and a range of servers in multiple countries. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has been investing in its service parameters for the past several months and this is beginning to have an impact. The company delivers quick speeds and tough encryption. It’s incorporated in Romania, hence out of the reach of mandatory data retention laws.

At the moment, CyberGhost offers more than 9,000 servers spread across 90+ countries. Locations include Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America.

The company deploys 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, along with 2,048-bit RSA keys and MD5 HMAC authentication. An internet kill switch is included. The choice of encryption parameters propels it into the top-tier of VPNs.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS, and there’s desktop support for Windows and MacOS.

BEGINNERS' CHOICE:CyberGhost is easy to use. Great privacy with zero logs and DNS leak protection. Unblocks Facebook, banned chat apps, and popular streaming platforms. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of CyberGhost.

5. IPVanish

IPVanish is another solid bet to access Facebook in Sri Lanka, as it offers decent speeds and robust encryption. A reassuring factor is that the VPN is completely logless. All user web activity is hidden, including session history, choice of servers and bandwidth utilized.

Encryption standards are top-tier. IPVanish deploys 256-bit encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048 key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch is included, firming up your device’s security.

IPVanish operates over 2,000 servers spread across 75+ global locations, including a large network in Asia, Europe, and North America.

There are apps for both iOS and Android, as well as desktop support for Windows and MacOS.

Many people find IPVanish to be an excellent option for Kodi because it allows them to download the Android APK directly to their device. The interface is also remote control friendly for Kodi devices that lack a keyboard and mouse.

UP TO 10 DEVICES:IPVanish has a large network of servers. Generally solid for Facebook and chat app access. Adhere to the highest standard of privacy, but can struggle with unblocking some popular streaming sites. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of IPVanish.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has a smaller network of servers than the others mentioned in this list, but the product is well-engineered and won’t let you down. Servers are spread across 60+ countries, and you can connect 10 devices at once.

You can opt for either 128 or 256-bit encryption, depending on the chosen protocol. An internet kill switch and DNS leak protection are included as additional safeguards. PrivateVPN declines to store any logs of user behavior, so that’s a positive too.

It offers apps for iOS and Android as well as desktop clients for Windows and MacOS.

GREAT SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is a good family choice. Works well in Sri Lanka and allows up to 10 devices on the same account. Fast connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

7. VyprVPN

VyprVPN is on this list because of its experience in evading government restrictions on the web. One of its popular use cases is in China, where it easily unblocks the Great Firewall, evading the best efforts of thousands of state-appointed government engineers that work around the clock. There are more than 700 VyprVPN servers spread across the world.

VyprVPN does have a bit of a logging policy. This is stated in full for transparency purposes. It will store “the user’s source IP address, the VyprVPN IP address used by the user, connection start and stop time, and total number of bytes used.” The company maintains that all data is kept on servers for a period of 30 days and is used to improve the overall experience.

The choice of encryption standards is excellent: the company deploys the OpenVPN protocol, 256-bit AES encryption, 2,048-bit RSA keys, and SHA256 authentication. There’s an internet kill switch included. A premium version of the package will allow access to the Chameleon™ protocol. This feature scrambles OpenVPN metadata, so deep packet inspection cannot recognize it.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS and desktop clients for Windows and MacOS.

EASY TO USE APPS:VyprVPN is user-friendly. Impressive speeds and uptime but not the cheapest option in this list. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of VyprVPN.

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Unblocking social media sites in Sri Lanka: FAQs