Sri Lankan lawmakers began discussing a controversial internet safety bill on Tuesday. The bill has faced criticism from opposition politicians, journalists, and rights groups who view it as an attempt by the government to limit freedom of speech.
Public Security Minister Tiran Alles presented the bill in Parliament, stating that it aims to address issues such as online fraud, abuse, and false statements that pose a threat to national security and stability.
He argued the need for these laws to tackle online offenses, citing over 8,000 complaints filed with the police last year related to sexual abuse, financial scams, cyber harassment, data theft, and other online offenses.
Despite this, media, internet, and civil rights groups believe that the bill would suppress freedom of speech and human rights. They have called for the withdrawal of the bill.
Lawmakers are set to vote on the bill on Wednesday.
The bill aims to establish an online safety commission with broad powers to restrict free speech. Article 19, a rights watchdog, and 50 other groups have expressed concerns about the vague and overbroad grounds on which content can be taken down and accounts blocked.
Opposition lawmaker Rauff Hakeem accused the government of trying to stifle freedom of speech, warning of the creation of an oppressive environment.
Minister Alles denied these allegations, stating that the bill was not intended to target the media or political opponents.
The debate over the bill coincides with Sri Lanka’s struggle to recover from its severe economic crisis. The country declared bankruptcy in April 2022, with more than $83 billion in debt, over half of which is owed to foreign creditors.
The crisis led to shortages of food, fuel, and other necessities, as well as public protests that resulted in the ousting of the then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The IMF agreed to a $2.9 billion bailout package in March.
Under new President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the shortages have largely eased, and power supplies have been restored. However, public dissatisfaction has increased due to the government’s attempts to raise revenue through electricity bill hikes and heavy income taxes.
Media and civil rights groups accuse the government of trying to pass repressive laws in an effort to suppress public expression ahead of the upcoming elections.
Sri Lanka’s presidential and parliamentary elections are expected to take place later this year or early next year.