Global and local organisations up in arms against the SL ‘Online Safety’ Bill

Global and local media and tech giants’ along with local civil society organisations have strongly criticised the government’s moves to pass regulation of the Internet in parliament shortly, stating that "the ‘Online Safety’ Bill is a draconian system to strangle dissent and Sri Lankans’ freedom of expression.

The Asia Internet Coalition includes Google, Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads), Amazon, Apple, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Goto, Grab, Line, LinkedIn, Rakuten, Spotify, Snap, Shopify, X (Twitter) and Yahoo.

In a statement, the Asia Internet Coalition states: "The Asia Internet Coalition is concerned that the Sri Lanka Government is moving the Online Safety Bill without undertaking any stakeholder consultation.”

The Bill provides for a draconian system to stifle dissent and Sri Lankans’ rights to expression, the AIC’s Managing Director Jeff Paine said.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has asked that the bill be withdrawn or amended through meaningful consultations with relevant stakeholders as the bills in draft form will have ‘a serious impact on the community’.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has presented seven essential recommendations to the government pertaining to the controversial Online Safety Bill, emphasising the need to modify it.

In a letter addressed to Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, the HRCSL outlined its response to the Bill and put forward proposals, underscoring the importance of aligning the said Bill with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

Issuing a statement the Convener of Internet Media Action, Sampath Samarakoon noted that they strongly condemn the bill for several reasons, including its overreaching, and unclear provisions which present a grim outlook for online freedoms, and democratic discourse in Sri Lanka.

Despite its portrayal as a means to safeguard individuals, particularly children, from online harm, the draft is a draconian measure which aims to stifle dissent, and exercise authoritarian control over online content, and commentary. (Bandula)