In a bold declaration, Harsha de Silva, an opposition Member of Parliament, announced the Samagi Jana Balavegaya party's firm commitment to repealing the contentious Online Safety Bill if they assume power. De Silva expressed strong reservations about the government's push to enact the bill and asserted that, if passed, his party would swiftly replace it with a more comprehensive legislation.
Taking to social media platform X, de Silva stated, "Strongly opposed to the Govt’s move to enact the Online Safety Bill. If passed, I pledge that a future SJB-led Govt will swiftly repeal the controversial bill. We won’t jeopardize ties with major platforms like Meta, Google, and YouTube, essential for #lka economic growth."
Highlighting their commitment to genuine online safety, de Silva assured that the Samagi Jana Balavegaya would collaborate with major platforms to address issues such as child pornography and other serious online crimes. Emphasizing the importance of effective solutions over hasty decisions, he asserted, "Committed to true Online Safety, we’ll introduce a new law addressing issues like child porn and other serious online crimes with the collaboration of major platforms. It’s crucial for the wellbeing of Sri Lanka society. Let’s prioritize effective solutions over hasty decisions."
