Online Safety Act Amendments: Government responds to calls for change

The government acknowledges the presence of flaws in the newly implemented Online Safety Act, signaling a willingness to consider revisions, announced Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

Addressing concerns raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and SJB MP Harsha de Silva in Parliament, Minister Rajapakshe emphasized the futility of criticizing the Act as flawed and encouraged the opposition to suggest specific changes. “The Act does have its imperfections, which we have recognized. We are open to amendments; propose what’s necessary. These proposals will be deliberated upon, as the authority resides with the Parliament to discuss and enact the requisite modifications, instead of unjustly condemning the Act,” stated the Minister.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa commended the government’s admission of the Act’s faults and proposed a meeting of party leaders to address these issues comprehensively. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane expressed his support for discussions concerning the Act’s improvement.