Opposition MP Eran Wickramaratne has requested the government to immediately withdraw the Online Safety Bill, which he claims gives the executive the power to legislate over the parliament and the courts.
MP Wickramaratne pointed out that even though the purpose of the Online Safety Bill is said to be to protect women and children who suffer injustices from social media, it is in fact to control the entire media.
MP Eran Wickramaratne made the remarks at a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo on Wednesday (Oct 11).
Stating that the government has presented this bill with a different purpose, the Opposition MP alleged it is an act used to control not only social media but the entire media and dissents.
“This is impacting freedom of expression and information in online spaces, with a new commission directly appointed by the President allowed to define, regulate, and prosecute the production or publication of ‘false statements’ as perceived by the commission,” he said.
Therefore, the MP urged the Government to withdraw the bill immediately and conduct an immediate and thorough review in consultation with all stakeholders, inclusive of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on the subject.
“As many of the provisions are inconsistent with the Constitution, it is believed that many of the provisions of the Online Safety Bill will be rejected in court. This Act is against the democratic way of life and would jeopardize the free media in the country. The Online Safety Act is not necessary to punish wrongdoing in social media and there are plenty of rules and regulations in the country to punish such actions,” MP Wickramaratne said.
He further mentioned that through this act, a program to deprive the civil society of expressing their views is being carried out and that the government is trying to control citizen struggles too through this act.
“Sectoral Oversight Committees of Parliament are formed on various subjects to seek the views and suggestions of all Members of Parliament in the formulation of policies and legislation. Acting outside of this system, the executive using his discretion has proposed to appoint his own commission to make rules and regulations to punish the wrongdoers which is ultra-virus. This commission, which does not come under the Legislative Assembly, is a monopolistic and arbitrary act. These programs bring together all the executive, legislative and judicial powers in one person,” MP Eran Wickramaratne further warned. (NewsWire)