The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has determined that the Online Safety Bill or its provisions are not inconsistent with the Constitution.
The court further revealed that the Bill can be passed by a simple majority following committee-stage amendments on certain clauses.
The Supreme Court determination was informed to Parliament today by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ajith Rajapakshe.
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.
Upon it being gazetted, at least 45 petitions were filed at the Supreme Court challenging the Bill, with many raising concerns that it violates the fundamental rights of the public.
In October this year, the Attorney General informed the Supreme Court that the government had decided to make certain amendments to the Online Safety Bill. (NewsWire)