Continuing Repression: The Online Safety Act of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, as a postconflict country from the Global South, has experienced the proliferation of hate content over the Internet, particularly after incidents such as the mob violence (2018) and the Easter Sunday attacks (2019). In response to these challenges, Sri Lanka implemented Internet shutdowns as existing legal frameworks proved ineffective and were criticized as heavy-handed measures against free speech online. Specifically, the study examines the Online Safety Act (OSA) of Sri Lanka, passed in January 2024, with the objective of regulating content over the Internet, particularly on social media platforms (SMPs). This study attempts to discern the pros and cons of the OSA and its impacts on free speech in the digital era, from a fragile democratic jurisprudence. Identifying the key challenges associated with the Act, the chapter concludes with suggestions on how to rectify these issues by adopting international standards and holding platforms accountable.