Sri Lanka’s controversial online safety bill becomes law

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By Editor_1
Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament endorsing the certificate on the Online Safety Bill which was passed in Parliament with amendments following the two-day debate held on January 23 and 24 2024 -@ParliamentLK

COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Thursday (Feb 1) endorsed a controversial bill to regulate online content despite criticism from the Opposition that claimed it will stifle freedom of speech.

Parliament’s communications office in a release said that Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena certified the bill with his signature.

The Speaker’s endorsement came despite demands internationally and locally to refrain from signing it.

The Parliament approved the bill with amendments last week amid strong protests by opposition legislators.

The bill will come into effect as the Online Safety Act No. 9 of 2024. It will lead to the establishment of the Online Safety Commission which is empowered to make punitive rulings on offences.

A false statement online would be liable, if convicted, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand Sri Lankan rupees.

Earlier, the bill was severely criticized as one which impinged on the freedom of expression.

The opposition argued, citing the Asian Internet Coalition (AIC), that the bill would hamper efforts to invite foreign investment.

The Opposition also vowed to repeal it when in power.

The AIC had said, “The proposed legislation, in its present form, poses significant challenges that, if not addressed comprehensively, could undermine the potential growth of Sri Lanka’s digital economy.” The highest court had ruled to amend at least 31 of the full 57 clauses of the bill.

On Wednesday (Jan 31) US Ambassador Julie Chung criticized the bill as stifling innovation and democracy, instead of actually addressing online crimes, and said, “Frankly this sends a negative signal in Sri Lanka’s path towards reform and recovery”.

Civil society organizations have said it has a ‘chilling effect’ on free speech.

The Speaker also endorsed the certificate on the National Hydrographic Bill passed on January 9 with amendments, and the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Bill passed on January 10 with amendments.

These Bills will come into effect as the National Hydrographic Act No.7 of 2024 and the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act No.8 of 2024.

-PTI/ENCL

 

Editor_1
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