News
ICJ calls for repeal or substantial revision of Online Safety Act
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has submitted its observations on the widely criticised Online Safety Act, No. 09 of 2024, in response to the Sri Lankan government’s call for public input on amendments. The ICJ has urged the government to repeal the Act in its current form or substantially revise it to bring it into compliance with Sri Lanka’s international human rights law obligations, and to ensure that the revision process involves full an?d inclusive consultations with stakeholders.
The Act, which came into force in February 2024, is likely to undermine human rights guarantees and lead to further shrinking civic space. As the Act has begun to be implemented over the past year, these human rights risks have materialized in practice.
The first arrest under the Act occurred in February 2024, when a suspect was accused of conducting online smear campaigns against the Government under the alleged instructions of a politician. Since then, public authorities and parliamentarians have invoked the Act to accuse individuals of spreading vaguely defined and overly broad “prohibited statements.”
In its submission, the ICJ emphasized that several provisions of the Act threaten the enjoyment of rights to freedom of expression, opinion, and information guaranteed under Article 14(1)(a) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Sri Lanka is a party.
Key concerns include:
The overly broad powers of the Online Safety Commission and appointed “experts”;
Vague and overbroad offences;
Disproportionate sanctions and punishments;
Lack of adequate judicial oversight; and
Disproportionate impact on transgender and gender-diverse persons.
Background
The Act was drafted with the stated objective “to protect persons against harm caused by communication of prohibited statements, by way of an online account or through an online location.”
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs has appointed a committee to review the Act and consider amendments, which were published in the Gazette on 31 July 2024. According to the Minister of Public Security, the committee is chaired by the Solicitor General and includes representatives from the Attorney General’s Department, the Ministries of Justice, Public Security, and Media, as well as a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police from the Criminal Investigation Department.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
Showers will occur in the Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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