Sri Lanka to amend Online Safety Act

Posted by Editor on February 13, 2024 – 12:15 pm

Sri Lanka’s Cupboard of Ministers has agreed to proceed with a number of amendments to the On-line Security Act primarily based on the options made by varied business professionals.

In line with a proposal tabled by the Minister of Public Safety on the cupboard assembly on Monday (February 12), the Authorized Draftsman can be directed to stipulate a draft Invoice to amend the much-disputed laws.

The On-line Security Act, which seeks to manage on-line content material, was handed within the Parliament of Sri Lanka on January 24, 2024 with amendments, amid protests from opposition politicians and activists who accused the brand new regulation will disrupt free speech.

The On-line Security Act attracted the curiosity not solely of native activists and organizations but additionally of diplomats and main worldwide organizations, who highlighted quite a few problematic points inside it.

In response to the criticisms, the Sri Lankan authorities has acknowledged that the brand new regulation is designed to ban sure statements from being communicated on-line throughout the nation. It goals to forestall the usage of on-line accounts, whether or not genuine or inauthentic, for prohibited functions. Moreover, it seeks to curb the financing and different types of assist for spreading false statements and associated actions.