Category: Politics
SJB not accepting Online Safety Bill which restricts media freedom as legislation duly passed: Eran
Eran Wickramaratne said that the main opposition, Samagi Jana Balawega, did not accept the legislation on Online Safety Act as passed in Parliament as it was processed without following due process of passing a bill in the parliament. Therefore we urge the government to cancel this piece of legislation on Online safety Bill which is […]
Harsha de Silva Re-appointed as the Chair to the Committee on Public Finance
Member of Parliament Harsha de Silva has been re-appointed as the Chair to the Committee on Public Finance. The Committee of Selection had nominated Members of Parliament to serve in the Committee on Public Finance and Harsha de Silva has been Re-appointed as the Chair to the Committee. The Speaker of Parliament announce to the […]
Online Safety Act: Transparency International Sri Lanka demands corrective action
Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) expressed its strong disapproval regarding the Sri Lankan government’s passage of the Online Safety Act, despite it lacking crucial amendments mandated by the Supreme Court. “We are appalled by the outrageous conduct of the Government, Parliament, Attorney General and the Speaker in signing off on a version of the Online […]
Australia & Sri Lanka signed AUD 30mn subsidiary arrangement to support improved governance
On 30 January 2024, Australia and Sri Lanka signed a 10-year subsidiary arrangement that commits an initial AUD 30 million (LKR 6.3 billion) over five years to support improved governance in Sri Lanka. Through a suite of programs, the arrangement supports the Sri Lankan government, nonprofit institutions and civil society to improve evidence-based policy and […]
March 12 Movement Denounces Online Safety Bill Passage, Citing Constitutional Concerns
The March 12 Movement, a civic activist group in Sri Lanka, has strongly denounced the passage of the Online Safety Bill on January 24th, 2024, which they claim was done in an unlawful manner. The group reiterates that the Online Safety Bill poses a grave threat to the fundamental rights and democratic principles enshrined in […]
Opinion: Sri Lanka’s Proposed Internet Law Threatens Upcoming Elections
By Meenakshi Ganguly: A repressive new internet law that Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is trying to rush through parliament this week would create broad and vague new speech-related offenses punishable by lengthy prison terms. The law would seriously threaten the right to freedom of expression as Sri Lanka prepares for parliamentary and presidential elections […]
Online Safety Bill is reminiscence of Censorship against media, civil society, says Eran
Eran Wickramarathne MP outlining the dangers of the proposed Online Safety Bill hastily proposed by the government warned that it could leave room for violating Article 12 (1) of the Constitution in different ways. This law prescribes there can be criminal liability for somebody who breaks this law. If somebody makes a false statement there […]
2023-2025 National Action Plan scheduled for Cabinet approval in February
The inaugural multi-stakeholder workshop to formulate Sri Lanka’s 3rd National Action Plan (NAP) 2023-2025 took place yesterday (10) at the Renuka Hotel, Colombo. This crucial initiative, which was initially halted in 2019 due to political challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises, has been recommenced under the directive of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, facilitated by the […]
President Commemorates Sir Arunachalam on 100th Death Anniversary
January 10, 2024 (LBO) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the chief guest at the commemoration event of the 100th death anniversary of Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam. At the event the President heralded Sir Arunachalam as a leader who championed the concept of a Ceylonese identity as opposed to today’s political rhetoric focused on division. Known as […]
Kshenuka Senewiratne presented credentials as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India
Kshenuka Senewiratne presented credentials as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, to Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 05 January 2024.
New Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha Presents Credentials to President
In a diplomatic ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat, the newly appointed High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, presented his credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, marking the official commencement of his tenure in Sri Lanka. His most recent assignment prior to the Sri Lankan posting was at the Embassy of India in […]
Mahinda Rajapaksa Makes Public Statement Advocating for Lower Taxes
Former President and current leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Mahinda Rajapaksa, issued a media release today calling for a reduction in income taxes. He argues that the current high tax burden is hurting the economy and driving out skilled professionals. Key Points of Rajapaksa’s Statement: Calls for tax reduction: Rajapaksa emphasizes the importance […]