News
GL urges AG to ensure compliance with SC recommendations before Speaker certifies Online Safety Bill
… alleges 13 mandatory recommendations discarded
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Alleging that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government hadn’t introduced the amendments proposed by the Supreme Court in respect of the Online Safety Bill, dissident SLPP National List MP Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday (29) said that the certification of that Bill by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena should be subjected to sanction by Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC.
Addressing the media at his Kirula road residence, former External Affairs Minister Prof. Peiris accused the government of discarding at the Committee Stage what he called 13 mandatory amendments proposed by the SC.
There hadn’t been a previous instance of a government acting in such a manner in the recent past, Prof. Peiris said, alleging that both the Constitution as well as the Standing Orders of the Parliament were brazenly violated.
Yesterday’s briefing was the first since Prof. Peiris recently switched his allegiance to the SJB.
Prof. Peiris stressed the responsibility on the part of the AG to ensure that the Bill passed by Parliament on 24 January included SC’s recommendations.
The former minister pointed out that the SC declared the Bill could be passed with a simple majority if the recommended amendments were included at the Committee Stage. While discarding the recommended amendments, the government altered the Bill further by granting authority to the executive to remove a person from the five-member Online Safety Commission, Prof. Peiris said.
Prof. Peiris added that the Opposition eagerly awaited the AG’s stand on the Online Safety Bill passed by Parliament. The Opposition lawmaker alleged that the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee hadn’t been given an opportunity to peruse the Bill before the commencement of the two-day debate (January 23 and 24). Prof. Peiris said that the Opposition expected the AG to take remedial measures against the backdrop of SC declaration that the Bill could be passed with a simple majority if clauses 3, 5, 7, 9, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 42, 45 and 53 were amended. The SC determined that clause 56 should be passed by a special majority in Parliament.
At the end of the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, MP, called for a division. Accordingly, 108 votes were cast in favour of the Bill and 62 votes were cast against it. Thus, the Second Reading of the Bill was passed by a majority of 46 votes.
Prof. Peiris said that several Opposition MPs asked for a vote on the Third Reading but Speaker Abeywardena ignored their call. The former Law Professor said that of the 57 clauses the SC found fault with over 30 therefore more than 50% of the Bill was contrary to the Constitution.
The government also thwarted another dissident SLPP member Chandima Weerakkody introducing an amendment. The Galle District MP called for a division bringing in an amendment to section 36 of the draft Bill. Accordingly, 51 votes were cast in favour of the amendment and 92 votes were cast against. Thus, the said amendment was defeated by a majority of 41 votes. The Third Reading of the Bill was then passed without a vote.
Prof. Peiris said that the threat posed by the Online Safety law should be examined taking into consideration the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission Bill meant to suppress the Opposition. Alleging that the government was bent on crushing the Opposition in line with its overall political strategy, Prof. Peiris said that discriminatory laws were being introduced with an eye on the presidential polls expected to be held later this year.
The former Minister declared a future SJB-led government would annul the Online Safety law. Prof. Peiris said that a suitable new law would be introduced after taking into consideration the views of all stakeholders.
Prof. Peiris warned the government of dire consequences over enactment of laws against the wishes of the people as well as the international community.
Prof. Peiris pointed out that the issue at hand is Speaker Abeywardena’s continuing failure to represent the interests of the Parliament.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]
Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.
Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026
The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.
It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].
Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).
For the Land area:
DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.
Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
Latest News
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
Coe commits World Athletics support to Jamaica
Rare mountain gorilla twins born in Africa’s oldest national park
ECB launch ‘thorough review’ in wake of 4-1 Ashes defeat
Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area
It’s 4-1 to Australia after Carey and Green complete stuttering chase at SCG
‘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
-
News3 days agoInterception of SL fishing craft by Seychelles: Trawler owners demand international investigation
-
News3 days agoBroad support emerges for Faiszer’s sweeping proposals on long- delayed divorce and personal law reforms
-
News4 days agoPrivate airline crew member nabbed with contraband gold
-
News2 days agoPrez seeks Harsha’s help to address CC’s concerns over appointment of AG
-
News2 days agoGovt. exploring possibility of converting EPF benefits into private sector pensions
-
Features3 days agoEducational reforms under the NPP government
-
News6 days agoHealth Minister sends letter of demand for one billion rupees in damages
-
Features4 days agoPharmaceuticals, deaths, and work ethics