SJB vows to repeal OSB within week of assuming power

Tuesday, 16 January 2024 01:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Claims Govt. is introducing new law to curb influence of social media to garner votes at future polls
Says unfathomable that such a step would be taken merely for short-term electoral gains
Claims under such circumstances SM companies may choose to abstain from conducting business in SL
Assures SJB will introduce a new law once it comes to power to promote online safety

SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday pledged that if the current Government enacts the highly criticised Online Safety Bill, a future Government under the leadership of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will promptly repeal the legislation within a week of assuming office.

According to the MP, the Government plans to table the bill in Parliament on 24 January, with the objective of curbing the influence of social networks like Facebook and WhatsApp to garner votes in the upcoming elections.

“If the 113 MPs in the Government raise their hands to pass this bill, we assure the youth that we will reverse it within a week of assuming power,” he said.

The MP expressed incredulity at the Government’s decision, deeming it unfathomable that such a step would be taken merely for short-term electoral gains.

He questioned, “Are we set to engage in conflict with Facebook? Will we jeopardise our access to Google and YouTube?”

He highlighted that under such circumstances, companies like Google and YouTube may choose to abstain from conducting business in Sri Lanka.

While de Silva acknowledged that many other countries also face issues due to social media platforms and wrongs committed through them, such as the dissemination of child pornography, he noted that other nations have tackled these issues by engaging in discussions and collaboratively arriving at solutions with these platforms.

“We are not advocating for the complete abolition of this law or asserting that there is no need for a law. However, we believe that this law will not effectively address the issues at hand. Instead, we intend to introduce a new law,” he said.

The MP emphasised that however, these platforms are instrumental for Sri Lanka’s next potential leap in economic development. He said the SJB will oppose the bill as it will close a number of doors for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. The MP urged the Government to refrain from introducing the draft bill and instead recommended sending it back to the legal draftsman for further amendments.