The Sri Lankan Parliament has been presented with the Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill, aimed at combatting the dissemination of false information over telecommunication channels, particularly through telephone calls. Led by Susil Premajayayantha, Leader of the House, the bill proposes stringent penalties for those found guilty of spreading false information and causing public disturbance.
Under the proposed bill, individuals who persistently make nuisance calls or transmit messages with the intent of causing annoyance or anxiety could face fines up to one hundred thousand rupees. Moreover, provisions allow for the disconnection of telephone services for repeat offenders.
The bill also targets individuals who intentionally disrupt public tranquillity, with fines reaching up to one million rupees, imprisonment, or both. Continuous offenses may result in daily fines of one thousand five hundred rupees.
Additionally, the bill addresses the issue of misleading information provided to telecommunication officers, imposing fines of up to one hundred thousand rupees. Telecommunication apparatuses used to disseminate false information could be seized by order of a magistrate.
Furthermore, the bill empowers the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission to monitor and protect submarine cables within Sri Lanka's territorial waters, with support from the Sri Lanka Navy, Department of Coast Guard, and Sri Lanka Police.
In a bid to promote cooperation among radio service providers, the bill includes provisions allowing for interconnection agreements. If passed, these measures could significantly curb the spread of false information and ensure the integrity of telecommunications in Sri Lanka.
