Sri Lanka Enacts Stringent Legislation Governing Social Media Use

In a significant move, Sri Lanka has approved a new law imposing severe penalties on social media users for disseminating content considered false or a threat to national security. Critics argue that the legislation, known as the Online Safety Bill, is designed to suppress dissent in the lead-up to the upcoming presidential elections later this year.

The opposition, labeling the law as oppressive, accuses the government of attempting to silence opposing voices. Meanwhile, the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), representing major tech giants such as Apple, Google, Yahoo, Meta, and X, has deemed the legislation "unworkable" and cautioned that it could hinder the growth and foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka's digital economy.

Despite concerns raised by the AIC, the bill received parliamentary approval by a margin of 46 votes. It remains unclear whether any adjustments were made to address the coalition's reservations.

During the 2022 economic crisis, social media played a pivotal role in coordinating widespread protests that ultimately led to the resignation of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Public Security Minister Tiran Alles contends that the new law is not aimed at stifling dissent but rather at curbing online scams and bullying.

Under the legislation, executives of social media platforms could face imprisonment for up to 10 years if they fail to disclose user details linked to posts deemed illegal. Opposition legislator M. A. Sumanthiran denounced the law during parliamentary debates, describing it as an "oppressive and draconian piece of legislation."