By Jagath Liyanarachchi
Background
Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Mass Media and Ali Sabry, President’s Counsel, Minister of Justice presented a cabinet paper on April 1, 2022, seeking permission from the Cabinet of Ministers to present a draft of a bill to “protect society from the harm caused by false propaganda on the internet.”
This had been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on April 19, 2021. Thereafter, on or about February 21, 2022, the Minister of Public Security had been handed over the responsibility of acting further on the draft bill.
As such, Tiran Alles, the Minister of Public Security, presented to the Cabinet of Ministers the cabinet paper bearing No. 23/1025/626/011 alongside the draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman to “protect society from the harm caused by false propaganda on the internet”, and sought approval for the same.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted its policy-wise approval on May 30, 2023. The Cabinet of Ministers decided that the Online Safety Bill could be presented in Parliament after the Electronic Broadcast Regulatory Authority Bill is tabled in parliament for consideration.
When the Cabinet was convened on August 8, 2023, it was informed that the Online Safety Bill could be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval. Accordingly, Tiran Alles, the Minister of Public Security presented the Online Safety Bill under Cabinet paper dated August 29, 2023 bearing No. 01/10 (O.S.B /2022 (memorandum No. 34/2023), and sought approval from the Cabinet of Ministers for the said Bill, and for it to be published in the Gazette and to be presented to the Parliament.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the said memorandum on September 4, 2023, and the Online Safety Bill was published in the government gazette on September 18, 2023, as directed by the Minister …read more
Source:: News Wire