Army Commander obtains an order against YouTube Channel under Online Safety Act

• The Respondent parties were ordered to show cause under section 24(6) of the Act.

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued a conditional order preventing a YouTube Channel from publishing and communicating defamatory information against Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, under the newly enacted Online Safety Act.  

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage issued a conditional order in favour of the Army Commander in terms of Section 24 (1) and Section 24 (2) of the Online Safety Act No. 09 of 2024 and directed that the order be communicated to the Respondents Lanka V news-YouTube Channel and its owner Thushara Saliya Ranawaka.  

The petitioner alleged that respondents had uploaded malicious and defamatory video contents and statements against him in a manner threatening the country’s national security. The Respondent parties were ordered to show cause under section 24(6) of the Act.  

Senior Counsel Shiraz Noordeen appeared for the Petitioner.