Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake has presented a Private Member’s Bill to repeal the controversial Online Safety Act. Karunanayake criticized the National People’s Power for failing to take action on their election promise to repeal the act.
The repeal aims to restore freedom of expression on social media and attract investments in the sector. Karunanayake believes the repeal is crucial for regaining GSP+ concessions from the European Union and anticipates support from both the government and opposition.
However, the government has decided to amend the act instead of repealing it, and a draft amendment has already been submitted to the Cabinet.
Journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara criticized Karunanayake for introducing the bill to repeal the act, stating that it was shameless of him and the government. He highlighted the misuse of the act to silence a key witness in a case related to the assassination of the JVP’s founding leader.
