INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
rights in the country.Commenting in this regard, Thyagi Ruwanpathirana, Regional Researcher for South Asia at the international rights
expression and suppress dissent.She urged the Sri Lankan authorities to immediately withdraw the Online Safety Bill and ensure respect for
the human rights of everyone in the country.The Online Safety Bill, which seeks to regulate online content, received the parliamentary
majority on Wednesday evening, amidst objections from opposition politicians and activists who raised alarm that the new law would muzzle
free speech.The Second Reading of the Online Safety Bill was also passed in Parliament by a majority of 46 votes
A total of 108 MPs had voted in favour, while 62 had voted against the Bill
The division was followed by a committee stage debate, during which a contentious situation ensued as opposition MPs objected to certain
amendments brought by the ruling party, accusing them of being unconstitutional and in violation of the Supreme Court determination.The
Online Safety Bill proposes jail terms for content that a five-member commission considers illegal and makes social media platforms such as
Google, Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter), liable for those posted on their platforms.Dismissing the accusations, the government
has defended the Bill, saying that it is aimed at battling cybercrimes including child abuse, data theft and online fraud.Yet, many rights
organizations, activists and civil society members, including the Asian Internet Coalition (AIC), International Commission of Jurists (ICJ),
Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), and Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) have voiced deep concerns about the problematic
aspects of certain provisions of the Bill.Commenting further on the passing of the new law to regulate online content, Ruwanpathirana said
many parts of the Bill do not meet international human rights standards including overbroad provisions that would restrict the enjoyment of
down on protests, the Sri Lankan authorities must demonstrate the political will to uphold their international human rights obligations and
