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Eran: Online Safety Bill will pave way for dictatorship
The main opposition SJB says that the Online Safety Bill, scheduled to be taken for debate in Parliament today, and tomorrow, will become a major blow to the people’s freedom of speech, if it becomes the law.
Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo, SJB MP Eran Wickremeratne said that the government had stated that the protection of the rights of women and children on social media platforms as one of the objectives of the proposed Bill. “However, the Bill does not even contain the words women and children. If it becomes law, it will enable the police, and other authorities, to take over the mobile phones of journalists and social media activists without a court order. This is paving the way for a dictatorship,” the MP said.
The Bill contained anti-democratic features, Wickremeratne said. “This will curb the freedom of the people. It is going to be passed as a criminal law. The Bill proposes the setting up of a Commission which would be under the direct control of the President. This Commission is going to be vested with many powers that had been hitherto enjoyed by the courts of law. This Bill would certainly make the government more authoritarian and that would alone be a threat to people’s rights. We oppose this Bill in Parliament and call on the people to line up with us to defeat this undemocratic move.”
Police and armed forces personnel will be deployed at all churches today as the sixth anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks is marked.Police stations have been instructed to provide special security to churches in their areas and seek assistance from the STF and tri-forces where additional manpower is needed.
Security arrangements have been made under the direction of Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya.
Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyakontha convened a special meeting on Thursday, instructing the Commanders of the Tri-Forces to implement a comprehensive security plan to safeguard worshippers attending Easter Sunday services.
He further directed that the measures be taken in close coordination with the Ministry of Public Security to ensure effective implementation and to allow Christians to attend services without fear or inconvenience.The main commemoration service is set to begin with a procession from St. Lucia’s Cathedral at 7:00 a.m., with participation from Catholics
in nearby parishes—particularly from Colombo Central, Colombo North, Wattala, and Ragama—as well as brothers from junior and national seminaries, priests, and religious leaders. Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is expected to conduct the prayer service, which is scheduled to begin at 8:40 a.m.
A separate commemoration will also take place at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, in two sessions—one at 8:30 a.m. and another at 4:30 p.m.
By Norman Palihawadane
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka says that ascertaining who the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 were and those who have aided and abetted in the dastardly act, is a matter of urgency.
In its special message for Easter the conference says: “This Easter also marks the sixth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on innocent worshipers at Catholic and other Christian Churches and in other places in 2019, causing death and injuries to hundreds of people. In this regard, we observe that certain positive steps have been taken by the present government to ensure an independent and impartial inquiry into this brutal attack.
While we appreciate the efforts made so far, we insist that as a matter of urgency and justice, the final aim of the inquiries should be to ascertain who the perpetrators are and those who have aided and abetted in the dastardly act.
We shall continue to pray earnestly for wisdom and courage for the leaders of our country, as well as solace and healing for the victims,” the message signed by the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera and Secretary General Bishop Anthony Jayakody said.
A new bill has been drafted to abolish the controversial Online Safety law passed by the previous government.
A gazette notification, announcing “Bill to Repeal the Online Safety Act No. 09 of 2024”, has been issued.
The bill has been presented as a Private Member’s Bill by MP Ravi Karunanayake.
By Akitha Perera
Sixth anniversary of Easter Sunday carnage: Special security provided to churches
Easter Sunday carnage: Catholic Bishops’ Conference renews call for justice
Bill to abolish Online Safety law gazetted
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