Sri Lanka Implements Controversial Online Safety Act, Sparking Protests and Concerns Over Freedom of Speech
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka’s new Online Safety Act, which has recently come into force, is facing backlash from rights groups who argue that it is an attempt to suppress freedom of speech. The act grants extensive powers to a government commission to assess and remove content deemed “prohibited.” Despite claims from authorities that the act is aimed at combating cybercrime, critics contend that it is a means to stifle dissent in the lead-up to elections. In 2022, during a period of economic crisis, social media played a crucial role in protests that ultimately … Read more