By Shamindra Ferdinando

SLPP rebel group spokesman Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (26) said that it would be a costly initiative to engage former British Premier David Cameron to promote Colombo Port City and the enactment of the Online Safety Law meant to suppress political dissent were contradictory.

The former External Affairs Minister said that investors would be wary of having any dealings with the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government as the Online Safety Law and new Anti-Terrorism Law underscored the growing danger posed by the authoritarian Wickremesinghe administration.

The former UK Premier would have cost the sponsors an arm and a leg, the SLPP National List MP said, pointing out that the proposed new laws were aimed at suppressing the Opposition ahead of presidential election scheduled for next year.

Cameron, who served as the UK Premier from 2010 to 2016, was yesterday scheduled to promote the Colombo Port City at an invitee-only separate top events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The academic said that the five-member Online Safety Commission tasked with overseeing the implementation of the new law and addressing complaints would be a political tool in the hands of President Wickremesinghe. The former minister explained that unlike other commissions, this all-powerful ‘weapon’ whose members would be named by the President whereas the appointment of other outfits was subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) too, are required to remove harmful content from their platforms and enable users to report such content, Prof. Peiris said, urging the government to do away with both Anti-Terrorism Law and Online Safety Law or face the consequences.

Addressing the media at the Nawala Office of Nidahasa Janatha Sabhawa, Prof. Peiris expressed surprise the ex-British Premier got involved in the Colombo Port City project at a time the government was under fire for resorting to undemocratic tactics. Prof. Peiris asked for how long could the government continue to put off Provincial Council and Local Government polls.