Online Safety Bill debate House unanimous on regulating social media but differs on how to do it

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

The debate on the Online Safety Bill which is seen as a controversial piece of legislation got underway in Parliament yesterday with almost all MPs from both sides agreeing that social media should be regulated while disagreeing on how to get about it.   

Claiming that social media was playing a vital role in circulating true and unfiltered news to the people, NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said police would have altered the whole incident involving the Narammala shooting incident if not for social media.  

 He said mainstream media reports filtered news on the need of the media owners and that social media was circulating true and unfiltered news to the people.  
 He said the government was plotting to restrict circulation of true news in social media as it had been a headache for them.  

 Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles who moved the debate said he had talked to all stakeholders including the civil movements, UN Resident Representative, Asian Coalition later and the internet intermediaries. “I had discussions with these organizations and they came up with some amendments to the Bill. However the Attorney General has informed me that some of these amendments cannot be accommodated now. Therefore I will submit those amendments to the cabinet when it meets next time and then present them to the House later. However, we will bring in amendments recommended by the Supreme Court as of now. We will approve the Bill now and bring in further amendments later,” he assured.   

The Minister said the Online Safety Bill only covers online crimes, preventing provocations which could lead to insurgencies, disturbing religious and ethnic harmony. “We don’t intend to victimize anyone using the Online Safety Bill,” he said.  

SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardene said social media should be regulated to prevent publication of fake news. Government MPs Madura Withanage, Gunathilaka Rajapaksha also called for the regulation of social media.  

The debate got underway amidst requests from the opposition to postpone the debate. Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella called for a division when the Speaker put the matter before the House. A vote was ultimately taken up where 83 members wanted the debate to go ahead and 33 voted in favour of the postponement.