Premadasa threatens Speaker with no-confidence vote over OSA

Friday, 23 February 2024 01:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa this week said that if corrective measures are not implemented to address the numerous shortcomings within the Online Safety Act, the opposition will be compelled to initiate a No Confidence Motion against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday, Premadasa said the approval of the Online Safety Bill in Parliament was illegal.

Premadasa claimed that the bill was passed by disregarding the rulings and directives of the Supreme Court in at least nine instances.

The main opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) led by Premadasa has continued to reject the enactment of the Online Safety Act, claiming it was not duly passed in Parliament.

It has maintained that the Act had been enacted without adhering to the proper parliamentary procedures for passing a bill. The SJB has urged the Government to repeal the Online Safety Act due to its adverse impact on freedom of speech, proposing the introduction of a new bill to combat online crimes instead.

Party members have also highlighted that the Online Safety Act poses a hindrance to the expansion of the digital market system, crucial for the technology and businesses of the country, and cannot be overlooked.