(COLOMBO)-The US joined Amnesty International on Thursday to voice concern over the potential impact of Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Bill, which was passed yesterday without incorporating important inputs from key stakeholders, including civil society and tech companies who say that this legislation threatens freedom of expression, innovation and privacy, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said.
Earlier in the day Amnesty International decried the Online Safety Bill, passed in the Sri Lankan Parliament on Wednesday (Jan.24), describing it has a ‘major blow’ to human rights in the island nation.
Thyagi Ruwanpathirana – Regional Researcher for South Asia
“In addition to jeopardizing democratic values, vague and overly restrictive legislation can hinder investments and the development of a digital economy, undermining the economic growth that Sri Lanka needs. The US urges Sri Lanka to prioritize transparency and ensure any legislation does not stifle the voices of its people,” she tweeted.
Thyagi Ruwanpathirana, Regional Researcher for South Asia at the international rights organisation said this legislation is the ‘newest weapon in the government’s arsenal of tools’ that could be used to undermine freedom of expression and suppress dissent, local media reported.
