Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has written to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, urging the postponement of the scheduled parliamentary debate on the Online Safety Bill, slated for January 23 and 24.
The decision to hold the Second Reading of the Bill was made by the Committee on Parliamentary Business earlier this month.
In his letter, Premadasa expressed concerns that if the Online Safety Bill is passed, it would grant the proposed Online Safety Commission and the responsible minister unlimited powers, potentially curtailing the people's right to freedom of speech and expression. He pointed out that in other countries, sufficient time and opportunities for public discourse are typically provided before such bills are presented, criticizing the government for not following a similar process.
Premadasa argued that instead of safeguarding victims of online harassment, the Bill appears to serve political interests, prompting his call for the debate's postponement. The opposition leader's plea adds a layer of contention to the upcoming parliamentary discussions on the Online Safety Bill.
