Sri Lanka’s controversial online security bill becomes law

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Thursday endorsed a controversial bill to regulate online content despite opposition criticism that claimed it would hamper freedom of expression.

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

The Speaker’s support came despite international and local calls to abstain from signing it. Parliament had approved the bill with amendments last week.

The new law will establish an Online Safety Commission which has the authority to take punitive decisions on crimes.

If found guilty of making false statements online, the punishment can be a maximum of five years’ imprisonment or a fine of not more than five lakh Sri Lankan rupees.

Earlier, this bill was strongly criticized and it was said that it hits at the freedom of expression.

The opposition, citing the Asian Internet Alliance (AIC), argued that the bill would hinder efforts to invite foreign investment. The opposition also vowed to repeal it if voted to power.

“The proposed legislation, in its current form, poses significant challenges which, if not comprehensively addressed, could undermine the potential growth of Sri Lanka’s digital economy,” the AIC had said. The Supreme Court had ruled to amend at least 31 of the total 57 sections of the bill.