A report by Freedom House has named Sri Lanka as one of seven countries at risk of facing further restrictions on internet freedom.

The ‘Freedom On The Net 2012’ report details how some governments have restricted freedom on the internet and are finding different ways to impose restrictions.

“The findings clearly show that threats to internet freedom are becoming more diverse.

"As authoritarian rulers see that blocked websites and high-profile arrests draw local and international condemnation, they are turning to murkier—but no less dangerous—methods for controlling online conversations,” said Sanja Kelly of Freedom House in a press release.

The report says the "empowering" impact of the internet in Sri Lanka has been undermined by “the government’s efforts to arbitrarily block, filter, and regulate online content that provides dissenting views and reportage on sensitive political issues.”

The blocking of several websites, including TamilNet, is highlighted in the report, along with the law requiring registration for websites containing material related to Sri Lanka.

The report also criticised the intimidation and violence faced by reporters and web users on the island.

Estonia topped the list and was found to have the highest degree of internet freedom in the world, with the USA a close second.