January 22, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa has called for the introduction of dedicated legislation to regulate promotions and advertising on social media platforms, warning that unmonitored content is increasingly causing confusion and distress among the public.
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, the Minister said existing legal provisions allow authorities to act against misleading promotions related to Ayurvedic products and certain medical treatments. However, he stressed that these measures are limited in scope and fall short of addressing the wider range of problematic content circulating online.
Dr Jayatissa pointed out that Sri Lanka currently lacks a comprehensive legal framework capable of overseeing social media activity across all sectors, from health and finance to consumer goods and services. As a result, authorities are often unable to respond effectively when online promotions mislead the public or create unnecessary alarm.
He argued that modern, clearly defined legislation would give regulators the tools needed to monitor digital advertising more consistently and take timely action when content crosses ethical or legal boundaries. Such a framework, he said, would help balance freedom of expression with public interest, while ensuring greater accountability in the rapidly expanding digital space.
