Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse informed the legislature this morning (Nov. 7) of the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the Online Safety Bill’s constitutionality and its contents.
After Committee Stage changes on specific sections, the Supreme Court determined that the Online Safety Bill may be passed by the parliament with a simple majority.
Clauses 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 42, 45, 53, and 56 must be approved by a special majority of the parliament in accordance with Article 84(2) of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court has clarified that the Online Safety Bill can still be approved by the parliament with a simple majority if certain provisions are changed during the Committee Stage.
As a result, the Supreme Court has determined that the Online Safety Bill and its provisions are constitutionally consistent, subject to the previously indicated details.
The Supreme Court wrapped up its consideration of the cases that contested the government’s much-discussed Online Safety Bill, which had been introduced in the legislature, on October 19. The three Supreme Court judges, Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Achala Vengapulli, and Shiran Gunaratne, presided over the sessions.
