- To introduce amendments post-public consultations as ‘many aspects need revision’ per Deputy Min.
The Government announced that it will not implement the Online Safety Act, No. 09 of 2024 in its original form but intends to introduce amendments following public consultations, as many parties have raised concerns regarding the Act’s potential impact on the public.
When contacted by The Daily Morning, the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne stated that the Government plans to make the necessary changes to minimise the Act’s adverse effects while preserving its effectiveness in addressing online misconduct. “The Act will be implemented after making the necessary modifications. We will not enforce it in its current form. There are many aspects that need to be revised. However, we will use this Legislation to prevent the misuse of freedom,” he said. He noted that amendments would follow consultations with stakeholders and the public.
The Act was first published in the Government Gazette in September 2023 and passed by the Parliament in January 2024. It was introduced to address issues related to online safety, misinformation, and cyber harassment. While the Bill received majority support in the Parliament, Opposition parties raised concerns, arguing that certain amendments did not comply with the Supreme Court’s (SC) ruling on its constitutionality.
In response to these concerns, the Government agreed in October 2024 to revise the Legislation to better align with the SC’s determinations issued on 7 November 2023. Consequently, the Online Safety (Amendment) Bill was published in the Government Gazette and tabled in the Parliament in August 2024. However, it was not passed due to widespread criticism from various sectors.