The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka will hear a total of 35 Special Determination petitions that challenge the constitutionality of the Online Safety Bill. The three-judge-bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Shiran Goonaratne, and Achala Wengappuli will preside over the proceedings.
Among the petitioners are prominent figures, including Kaushalya Nawaratne, the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedera, the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Harini Amarasuriya, a parliamentarian from the National People's Power, and Eranga Gunasekara, the National Organiser of the Socialist Youth Union.
The petitioners are seeking a declaration from the Supreme Court that the Online Safety Bill must be subject to approval by the people through a Referendum, in addition to the required 2/3 approval of the Parliament.
The Online Safety Bill was published in the Gazette on September 15, 2023, and subsequently placed on the Order Paper of Parliament on October 3, 2023.
The outcome of these petitions will have significant implications for the future of the Online Safety Bill and its potential impact on online freedom of expression and digital rights in Sri Lanka.
