Online Safety Bill likely to drive out foreign service providers: Hirunika

• Sri Lanka will have to develop its own platform like China   

By Yohan Perera   

Online Safety Bill will give rise to a local social media platform to disseminate information as all foreign online service providers are likely to leave the country once the legislation comes into effect, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) former MP Hirunika Premachandra said yesterday.

“It is just a simple task for the international service providers such as Facebook and X to leave Sri Lanka,” Ms. Premachandra told a media briefing.   

“Sri Lanka will have to develop its own platform like China if all Foreign Service providers stop operations in Sri Lanka,” she added.   

“Just imagine what you would feel if you are unable to log into Facebook, Instagram or X through your phone to be aware of what is happening around the world,” she questioned.   

Ms. Premachandra alleged that there is a hidden agenda behind the introduction of the Online Safety Bill. “Social media is slated to play a major role in future election campaigns. Also, it was social media which gave rise to Aragalaya in 2022. It will be possible to suppress selected information through the Online Safety Bill. Also, the rise of those who claimed to be “Bodhisattvas and Vishva Buddhi was a planned drama to justify the legislation in consideration,” she also said.   

Social media is slated to play a major role in future election campaigns