The Hon. Ajith Agalakada (on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika)

Jathika Jana balawegaya· Monaragala· 18 June 2025 ·Oral question: Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions

Law & OrderReligion & Culture

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In a tabled answer to a question to the Minister of Health and Mass Media, it was stated that organized racist, religious and hateful statements on social media are addressed under laws including the Online Safety Act, ICCPR Act, Penal Code, Police Ordinance, Offensive Publications Regulations, and Prevention of Terrorism Act. The Ministry said it does not hold data on enforcement action, which is handled by Sri Lanka Police, and that the Government is preparing a structured programme to counter media misinformation and prevent recurrence of such issues.

Verbatim record (translated)

Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English

¶ 01 Question to the Minister of Health and Mass Media:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes. (ii) The following legal provisions apply against organized racist, religious and hateful statements on social media: - Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024 - International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act, No. 56 of 2007 - Penal Code - Police Ordinance - Offensive Publications (Emergency) Regulations, No. 41 of 1958 - Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979 (iii) Data is not available with the Ministry of Health and Mass Media; action is taken by Sri Lanka Police under applicable legal provisions. (iv) Yes. The Government has recognized the need for a structured program to prevent the spread of misinformation by the media and is preparing such a program. (v) Yes. The Government’s attention has been drawn to this matter and plans are being formulated to rectify it and prevent recurrence.

¶ 03 (b) Not applicable.

¶ 04 (Answer tabled.)

Provenance

Source: Hansard, Wednesday, 18 June 2025 ·No. 1751280704002343 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Ajith Agalakada (on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika). 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 18 June 2025. No. 1751280704002343. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/6787