The government is of the opinion that the Online Safety Bill must be amended, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said.
Addressing the media today, Minister Herath said the government will take measures to amend the said bill once a new Parliament is established.
He further said a decision will be taken after holding the necessary discussions in this regard.
Minister Herath also said that a decision will also be taken on whether the Online Safety Bill requires amendments or a new bill needs to be presented to Parliament.Â
The Online Safety Bill which was published in the Sri Lankan Government Gazette in September 2023, was passed in the Parliament of Sri Lanka in January 2024. Â
A majority of MPs supported the bill, while the Opposition claimed that the amendments proposed were not consistent with the Supreme Court’s determination.
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka thereafter, determined that the several Online Safety Bill provisions are not consistent with the Constitution.
In October, the government agreed to revise the Bill in accordance with the Supreme Court’s determinations announced on November 07, 2023.
Key objectives of the bill include establishing the Online Safety Commission, making provisions to prohibit online communication of certain statements of fact in Sri Lanka, preventing the use of online accounts and inauthentic online accounts for prohibited purposes, making provisions to identify and declare online locations used for prohibited purposes in Sri Lanka, and to suppress the financing and other support of communication of false statements of fact. (Islandnews)
