By Saman IndrajithThe Online Safety Bill would be the final nail in the coffin of the country’s democratic values, Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday. The Online Safety Bill, dated 15 of September 2023, was gazetted by the order of the Minister of Public Security. The Online Safety Bill presented to the House yesterday contains provisions to establish the Online Safety Commission; to make provisions to prohibit online communication of certain statements of facts in Sri Lanka; and to prevent the use of online accounts and inauthentic online accounts for prohibited purposes, and other related matters. Subject to the provisions of section 6, the Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the President and the term of office of a member of the Commission shall be three years from the date of its appointment. As per the Online Safety Bill, the commission members shall have qualifications and experience in one or more of the fields of information technology, law, governance, social services, journalism, science and technology or management.

Source: The Nation October 04, 2023 00:14 UTC