Sri Lanka, Feb. 3 -- The Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, has officially come into effect following its publication in the government gazette. This Act establishes the Online Safety Commission, focusing on ensuring safety from prohibited online statements, preventing the misuse of online accounts for prohibited purposes, and identifying and declaring online locations used for such activities in Sri Lanka.

Additionally, the legislation aims to curb the financing and support of communication related to prohibited statements online. Passed in Parliament on January 24, the Act has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it could restrict freedom of speech. Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena endorsed the Online Safety Bill...