COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Tuesday voted to go forward with a scheduled debate on a controversial on-line security invoice that critics say will stifle freedom of speech. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena had referred to as for a vote to determine if the two-day debate ought to proceed.
Out of 225 legislators, 83 voted in favour of holding the talk whereas 50 voted towards it.
The opposition events had sought extra time for consultations on the invoice.
Opposition MPs and different critics have warned that the net security invoice could possibly be a risk to freedom of speech.
Tiran Alles, the general public safety minister, whereas opening the talk stated the Supreme Courtroom had recommended amendments to the invoice and they might be integrated after the invoice is permitted in parliament on Wednesday.
As Alles was talking, a civil group demonstrated close to Parliament to oppose the invoice.
They stated the federal government goals to censor the expression of public opinion by way of social media.
The invoice goals to ascertain the net security fee, make provisions to ban on-line communication of sure statements of reality in Sri Lanka and stop using on-line accounts and inauthentic on-line accounts for restricted functions. It additionally makes provisions to determine and declare on-line areas used for prohibited functions within the island nation, suppress the financing, and different help of communication of false statements of reality.
The Asian Web Coalition (AIC) in a letter to Alles had objected to the invoice.
“The proposed laws, in its current kind, poses important challenges that, if not addressed comprehensively, might undermine the potential development of Sri Lanka’s digital financial system,” it stated.
The vote on the parliamentary approval of the invoice is to happen on Wednesday.
Out of 225 legislators, 83 voted in favour of holding the talk whereas 50 voted towards it.
The opposition events had sought extra time for consultations on the invoice.
Opposition MPs and different critics have warned that the net security invoice could possibly be a risk to freedom of speech.
Tiran Alles, the general public safety minister, whereas opening the talk stated the Supreme Courtroom had recommended amendments to the invoice and they might be integrated after the invoice is permitted in parliament on Wednesday.
As Alles was talking, a civil group demonstrated close to Parliament to oppose the invoice.
They stated the federal government goals to censor the expression of public opinion by way of social media.
The invoice goals to ascertain the net security fee, make provisions to ban on-line communication of sure statements of reality in Sri Lanka and stop using on-line accounts and inauthentic on-line accounts for restricted functions. It additionally makes provisions to determine and declare on-line areas used for prohibited functions within the island nation, suppress the financing, and different help of communication of false statements of reality.
The Asian Web Coalition (AIC) in a letter to Alles had objected to the invoice.
“The proposed laws, in its current kind, poses important challenges that, if not addressed comprehensively, might undermine the potential development of Sri Lanka’s digital financial system,” it stated.
The vote on the parliamentary approval of the invoice is to happen on Wednesday.
