Cardinal goes before Supreme Court against Online Safety Bill

16 October 2023 05:03 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 7 Bookmark

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Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith today filed a Special Determination petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Online Safety Bill.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith stated that arbitrary and unreasonable wide-ranging powers have been granted to the President when appointing members to the Online Safety Commission. He stated that these wide-ranging powers are retained by the President concerning the powers to remove the members of the Online Safety Commission under Clause 7, and also with regards to the appointing of the Chairman of the said Commission under Clause 8 of the Online Safety Bill.

The Colombo Archbishop further stated that in terms of Clause 11 and Clause 12 of the Bill the Online Safety Commission would also be vested with a wide range of powers, which would encroach even into the functions of the Judiciary. In this regard, the Petitioner states that the Online Safety Commission would accordingly be empowered to at their own discretion and would be entitled to issue notices or directives against any person, internet service provider or internet intermediaries who is alleged to have communicated a prohibited or false statement.

The petitioner is seeking a declaration that the bill requires the approval by the people at a Referendum in addition to the 2/3 approval of the Parliament. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

Comments - 7

Sam Silva Monday, 16 October 2023 06:37 PM

You need not get involved with the country politics but set an example as a religious leader preaching.

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Neell Ahmed Tuesday, 17 October 2023 03:12 PM

What His Excellency Cardinal has done is betterment of the public this is the part of religious leader duty. If no one opposite they will passed the bill which is not a essential in this moment. His Excellency Cardinal knew this is not the easy task because the power hungry political parties do every thing to keep their positions this is the truth. We wish to protect him from the evil spirit. Please God help us the save the country.

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Patriot Monday, 16 October 2023 08:06 PM

Thank you your eminence for standing for the people.

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wickrama wijayasiri Monday, 16 October 2023 08:14 PM

We are going back to the Sirima days, when Lakehouse was nationalized. RW should remember. Untruthful news must be challenged, with facts, but not banned. Censorship starts with good intensions but always have failed. One day in the near future the drafters of the bill will realize that 'What is good for the goose is good for the gander too'. Take the example of JR's failed Presidential way of governance.

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Rip Winkle Monday, 16 October 2023 10:18 PM

The only commendable thing he's ever done.

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Jerome Tuesday, 17 October 2023 05:20 AM

Vatican synod doing even more dangerous things at the moment.

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joshua Tuesday, 17 October 2023 09:29 AM

Thank YOU

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