Opposition lawmakers denounced the law as an attempt to censor political speech.
Colombo:
Sri Lanka said on Tuesday it would amend strict new internet censorship laws amid opposition from global tech giants who risk criminal prosecution for content shared on social media.
Information Minister Bandula Gunawardana said the cabinet has decided to amend the controversial Cybersecurity Law. Despite strong opposition, the law was rushed through parliament last month.
He told reporters in Colombo that the new bill would “take into account the advice of experts in the field”.
The law passed makes social media companies liable for any content posted on their platforms that is deemed offensive by Sri Lankan authorities.
An international alliance of technology companies warned Colombo last month that the legislation was “unworkable” and that they would not work with local authorities to implement it.
Opposition lawmakers denounced the law as an attempt to censor political speech ahead of presidential elections later this year.
Social media was a key tool used by protesters during Sri Lanka’s unprecedented economic crisis in 2022, which sparked nationwide demonstrations that ultimately forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down.
The law provides for jail terms of up to 10 years if the offices of social media platform executives fail to disclose details of users accused of creating illegal posts.
It also outlaws anonymous and impersonated social media accounts and applies to users posting from outside the island nation.
Public Security Minister Tiran Ales earlier denied the law would be used to stifle dissent.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
