Government to introduce amendments to Online Safety Bill, AG tells SC

The Attorney General today (18) informed the Supreme Court of the government’s decision to amend several provisions of the Online Safety Bill.

During the court session, the Additional Solicitor General, representing the Attorney General, informed the Supreme Court that the proposed amendments would be presented to the parliament at the Committee Stage. This update came as petitions challenging the legislation were being considered.

The hearing took place before a three-judge panel of the Supreme Court, composed of Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Shiran Gunaratne, and Achala Wengappuli.

Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, the president of the three-judge bench, mentioned that nearly 50 petitions have been filed against the Online Safety Bill.

Earlier in the day, during a parliamentary session, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena stated that a total of 45 petitions have been filed against the proposed legislation.

The Online Safety Bill, which was published in the government gazette on September 18, is designed to regulate online communication of specific statements within the country, prohibit the use of online accounts for prohibited purposes, whether they are authentic or inauthentic, and address issues related to the dissemination of false statements, including their financing and support.