January 31, Colombo (LNW): Media and civil society organisations have jointly appealed to Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, requesting careful consideration before endorsing the recently passed Online Safety Bill.
Expressing concerns about potential violations of freedom of expression and constitutional principles, the collective urged the Speaker to ensure full compliance with the directives issued by the Supreme Court.
In a letter addressed to Speaker Abeywardena, the Media, Civil Society, and Trade Union Collective to Rise against Oppressive Laws emphasised the need for a thorough examination of the legislation.
The letter highlighted the perceived haste in passing the Bill on January 24, without adequate discussion with stakeholders and, notably, without incorporating the Supreme Court’s directives.
The collective, representing various media and civil society groups, contested the parliamentary process, with opposition MPs asserting that the Bill was passed without due consideration of the amendments and guidelines mandated by the Supreme Court.
These directives had emerged from a series of 45 fundamental rights petitions challenging the draft Bill.
Expressing concern that such a scenario might constitute a violation of the Constitution, undermining the sovereignty of the people and potentially leading to contempt of court, the collective voiced strong objections to the legislation.
They emphasised their commitment to continuing the fight against regulations that impede freedom of expression and potentially harm the economy.
The groups accused the government of expediting the passage of the Online Safety Bill to counter opposition ahead of upcoming elections.
They urged Speaker Abeywardena to uphold his responsibility in ensuring parliamentary orders are followed, insisting on the incorporation of Supreme Court-directed amendments into the Bill before granting his approval.
As citizen activists and proponents of democracy, the collective respectfully requested Speaker Abeywardena to withhold consent to the Bill until full satisfaction that the Supreme Court’s orders and guidelines are seamlessly integrated.
The letter signifies their dedication to defending democratic values and safeguarding the right to free expression against regulations they deem detrimental to both democratic principles and economic well-being.
