The Opposition Party will oppose the Draft Online Safety Bill (OSB) currently under consideration by the Government of Sri Lanka, Leader of the Opposition and Samgi Jana Balawegay (SJB) MP Sajith Premadasa said.
According to MP Premadasa, the decision had been taken following a discussion between media organizations, civil organizations, groups working for democracy, trade unions, etc. and several major parties of the Opposition on Thursday (Jan 18).
He further stated that the government has established a monopoly in the country by introducing such an anti-democratic Bill under the pretext of protecting the rights of children, mothers, common people and vulnerable sections of the country.
MP Premadasa accused the government of violating human rights and fundamental rights including freedom of speech, discussion, debate and information through this new legislation.
Stating that the President has shown the country and the world that he is a democratic person, the MP said that, but through the implementation of this Bill, the image he imagined is proven to be a lie.
“Through this Bill, he and the members of the commission he appoints and the security forces he appoints can put pressure on the common people of this country at will. The President has resorted to a program to silence the people by making them afraid that they will go to jail if they speak,” he said.
The Opposition Leader pointed out that if the president is a true democrat, as he claims to be, he should withdraw this Bill and engage in an enlightened and optimal discussion with all the stakeholders. (NewsWire)