News
Sajith slams Online Safety Bill and pledges to repeal undemocratic laws
Opposition leader and SJB Sajith Premadasa says that his party would reject and oppose the Online Safety Bill (OSB) when it is brought before Parliament by the Government.
Speaking at a special meeting held at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, Premadasa said the Government, under the pretext of safeguarding the rights of the nation’s children, mothers, ordinary citizens, and vulnerable groups, is trying to consolidate itself through the introduction of anti-democratic laws.
Earlier in the day he and his party strongmen met with media organizations, civil society groups, trade unions, and various stakeholders at the same venue regarding the Online Safety Bill set to be tabled in Parliament on Tuesday (23).
Premadasa said that the provisions of the Bill violate human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, discussion, debate, and access to information. He said that such actions undermine democratic processes.
“The President, despite projecting a democratic persona to the nation and the global community has betrayed this image through the enactment of this Act. This legislation grants him, along with the appointed commission members and designated security forces, the power to exert arbitrary pressure on the general population. The President has embarked on a program to silence the people by employing the threat of imprisonment,” he said.
Premadasa added that if the President is genuinely committed to democratic principles, it would be prudent to revoke this poorly conceived Act. Instead, he suggested engaging in a thoughtful and inclusive discussion with all stakeholders to avoid a scenario where the country’s social media landscape will be negatively affected.
He also assured that once the SJB forms a government it will repeal all anti-democratic laws and foster democratic principles and reiterated that every possible democratic and peaceful measure would be pursued by the SJB to block the anti-democratic laws introduced by the current Government.
Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.
Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.
A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.
The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.
The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.
These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.
The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.
The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.
During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.
The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.
Sooryavanshi 175 makes India six-time Under-19 world champions
Mighty India meet multicultural USA in polarised World Cup
At least 31 killed, dozens wounded in Islamabad mosque blast
The SSC finally steps out of the sunshine and into the floodlights
SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi
Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Business7 days agoHayleys Mobility ushering in a new era of premium sustainable mobility
-
Business4 days agoSLIM-Kantar People’s Awards 2026 to recognise Sri Lanka’s most trusted brands and personalities
-
Business7 days agoAdvice Lab unveils new 13,000+ sqft office, marking major expansion in financial services BPO to Australia
-
Business7 days agoArpico NextGen Mattress gains recognition for innovation
-
Business6 days agoAltair issues over 100+ title deeds post ownership change
-
Editorial7 days agoGovt. provoking TUs
-
Business6 days agoSri Lanka opens first country pavilion at London exhibition
-
Business5 days agoAll set for Global Synergy Awards 2026 at Waters Edge