Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has taken his concerns over the constitutionality of the Online Safety Bill to the Supreme Court.
Today, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith filed a Special Determination petition, asserting that the bill grants arbitrary and unreasonable powers to the President in appointing members to the Online Safety Commission.
Cardinal Ranjith specifically highlighted the wide-ranging powers retained by the President regarding the removal of commission members under Clause 7 and the appointment of the Chairman under Clause 8. He further argued that the Online Safety Commission, as outlined in Clauses 11 and 12, would be vested with powers that encroach upon the functions of the Judiciary.
According to the petitioner, this would allow the Commission to issue notices or directives against individuals, internet service providers, or internet intermediaries based on allegations of communicating prohibited or false statements.
The petitioner is seeking a declaration that the Online Safety Bill must not only receive 2/3 approval from Parliament but also require the approval of the people through a Referendum. The Cardinal's move to challenge the bill in the Supreme Court highlights his concerns about the potential impact on freedom of expression and the need for further scrutiny of its provisions.
