Repeal the Online Safety Act: International Commission of Jurists

20-Sep-2025

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The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has urged that the current Online Safety Act be repealed or, alternatively, revised in line with international human rights obligations with the participation of all stakeholders.

In its statement on the Online Safety Act, the ICJ explained that the Sri Lankan government had requested proposals for amendments to the controversial Online Safety Act No. 9 of 2024. Accordingly, the ICJ submitted its recommendations on September 12. 

The Commission emphasized the need to repeal the current Act or amend it in line with international human rights law through a participatory process.

Since coming into force in February 2024, the Online Safety Act has undermined rights that were already guaranteed and has further reduced the space available for civil activity. Indeed, since the law was implemented, the very human rights concerns that had been raised have already materialized in practice. 

The ICJ recalled that in February 2024, a suspect was arrested under the Act for the first time, accused of conducting online campaigns against the government at the direction of a politician.

The statement further noted that the Act has created several alarming issues. 

These include the excessive powers granted to the Online Safety Commission, the process of appointing its members, the overly broad definitions of offenses under the Act, disproportionate punishments and restrictions, and the lack of adequate judicial oversight. 

The ICJ also drew attention to the particularly severe impact of the Act on transgender persons.

The ICJ concluded by stressing that these matters require urgent attention if Sri Lanka is to bring its legislation in line with international human rights standards.