President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the Government has no intention of implementing the current Online Safety Act and is instead preparing a revised version of the legislation.
Speaking in Parliament during the adjournment debate on combating the drug menace and organised crime, the President said the Government had opposed the Online Safety Act when it was originally introduced and believed it required significant changes.
“We have no intention of implementing the Online Safety Act in its present form. Instead, we are undertaking a comprehensive revision of it, and last week we secured Cabinet approval to introduce a new Bill,” he said.
President Dissanayake said the Government was committed to abolishing or reforming laws that could undermine people’s rights. He added that the proposed changes would safeguard fundamental rights, freedom of expression and democratic freedoms.
The President also said the Government remains committed to protecting democracy and human rights while ensuring that citizens have the freedom to question those in authority. (Newswire)