Justice Ministry withdraws Prohibition of Obscene Publications Bill

• Decision to withdraw Bill taken to allow for further discussion 
• Bill aimed at stopping child phonography, exploitation, harassment of women, children 
• Amended Bill to go to Cabinet after consultation with all stakeholders

The Justice Ministry has decided to withdraw the Prohibition of Obscene Publications Bill to allow for consul tation with stakeholders, including civil society activists, who have raised objections to the Bill on several grounds, including copyright laws.

The Bill was published in the gazette this week and is aimed at prohibiting the publication, distribution, sale, import and export of any matter, object or thing which is obscene.

The word “obscene” in the Bill has been described as any matter, object or thing, which, by itself or where it comprises more than one distinct component each such component taken by itself, is sufficient to deprave and corrupt the mind of a reasonable person, but  does not include any matter, object or thing containing anything done in the interest of science, literature, art, education or learning.

Secretary to the Ministry of Justice M.M.P.K. Mayadunne said the decision to enact the Bill was taken to curb child pornography as well as safeguard those who fall victim to harassment and exploitation due to absence of strict laws to deal with offenders, but there has been concerns raised by civil society activists and other stakeholders who feel that the Bill needs further discussion.

Mayadunne said that the current Bill would be withdrawn, and an amended Bill will be presented to Cabinet for approval, once discussions are held with interested parties, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and other stakeholders.