Govt. to introduce amendments to Online Safety Bill- AG tells SC

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

 The government intends to introduce certain amendments to the proposed Online Safety Bill at the committee stage in Parliament, the Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today. 

Additional Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne made these remarks when the 45 Special Determination petitions filed challenging the constitutionality of the Online Safety Bill were taken up before Supreme Court three-judge-bench.   
According to proposed amendments the members to the Online Safety Commission will be appointed by the President subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council. The members of this Council also can be removed by the President subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council.   

When these petitions are taken up before the Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Shiran Goonaratne and Achala Wengappuli, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne PC appearing for journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedera made his oral submissions regarding the petition. Further hearing fixed for today (19).   

A group of lawyers including Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne PC, M.A. Sumanthiran PC, Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC, Uditha Igalahewa PC, Jagath Wickremanayake PC, Senior Counsel Viran Corea, Upul Kumarapperuma, Suren Fernando, Thishya Weragoda, Pulasthi Hewamanne and Darshana Kuruppu appeared for the petitioners. Additional Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne appeared for the Attorney General. 

• According to proposed amendments the members to the Online Safety Commission will be appointed by the President subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council