Cabinet nod to gazette Bill on Online Security

The Cabinet of Ministers has consented the publication of the draft Bill on Online Security in the Government Gazette and subsequently tabling it in the Parliament for its approval.

The relevant Bill was introduced to protect society from being subjected to spiteful manipulations and the dissemination of misleading information that may occur online.

As appeared in section III of the said draft Bill, the following actions have been misinterpreted in the provisions of this Act; 

• Communication of false statements on the incidents within Sri Lanka

• False statements causing defame

• Pave way for riots by provocation without reason

• Disturbing a religious assembly through false statements

• Communication of false statements with the sole intention of hurting religious emotions

• Communication of false statements with the sole intention and with the sole intention for the abomination of religious emotions

• Fraud

• Cheating by appearing some other person

• Defaming intentionally by a false statement to arouse for violation of peace, 

• Circulation of false statements to cause a riot or an offence against the Government

• Communication of statements on incidents to cause harassment

• Child abuse

• Production of bots or modifying them for offending.

The resolution furnished by Public Security Minister Tiran Alles was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday.