Opposition MP Harsha de Silva says Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Bill will jeopardise ties with major platforms such as Meta, Google, and YouTube.
Taking to ‘X’, MP de Silva said he strongly opposes the Government’s move to enact the Online Safety Bill.
“If passed, I pledge that a future @sjbsrilanka-led Govt will swiftly repeal controversial bill. We won’t jeopardize ties w/ major platforms like @Meta, @Google & @YouTube essential for #lka economic growth,” he warned.
MP de Silva further said that committed to true Online Safety, the SJB-led government will introduce a new law addressing issues like child porn and other serious online crimes with the collaboration of major platforms.
“It’s crucial for the wellbeing of #SriLanka society. Let’s prioritize effective solutions over hasty decisions,” he added.
Concerns have been raised by various parties, including the opposition, on the Online Safety Bill, claiming that it violates the fundamental rights of the public.
The Online Safety Bill was published in the Sri Lankan Government Gazette in September 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.
In October last year, the Attorney General informed the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka that the government had decided to make certain amendments to the Online Safety Bill.
In December it was announced that the revised Online Safety Bill is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament in late January this year. (NewsWire)