The Collective for Social Media Declaration (CSMD) has expressed concerns regarding three critical matters of public policy and governance that it says require urgent attention and greater transparency from the government.
In a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, CSMD has raised concerns regarding the Online Safety Act (OSA), e-NIC project, and media agreements signed with Chinese state broadcasters and information departments.
“Your Excellency, your administration came to power promising a different approach to governance. However, these three instances suggest a concerning continuation of previous patterns of policy implementation without adequate public consultation or transparency. The government already knows how much a robust democracy requires not just good policies but also clear communication, public accountability, and meaningful stakeholder engagement in the policymaking process. We only ask that the promises made around a shift in, and the desperately needed reform of our political culture, including policymaking, are realised,” it said.
CSMD further urged the President to address these concerns by immediately making public the relevant documentation, establishing clear consultation frameworks, seeking input from experts, and ensuring that all policy decisions are communicated in a timely manner with the transparency and accountability that the Sri Lankan people deserve. (Newswire)
