SJB claims Online Safety Act already effective

By Saman Indrajith

The SJB says the Online Safety Act is already effective because the Speaker as Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene endorsed while Parliament was prorogued.

Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella on Wednesday said that the Bill had been taken up for debate on Jan 23 and 24 and the Speaker had claimed that it was passed. “Thereafter Parliament was prorogued on Jan 2626 Jan., and its new session commenced on 07 Feb. It was announced that the Speaker had certified the Bill on 01 Feb. This is wrong. A Speaker cannot endorse a bill during a prorogation. He should have waited till Parliament reopened to complete unfinished business as per Standing Orders. Endorsing a Bill is a legislative act which is not valid during prorogation,” Kiriella said.

“Article 70 (4) of the Constitution says that all matters which, having been duly brought before Parliament, have not been disposed of at the time of the prorogation of Parliament, may be proceeded with during the next session,” Kiriella said.

“The Speaker, in a mighty hurry, placed his signature to endorse this Bill on 01 Feb., without waiting till 07 Feb. By doing so, he violated the Constitution and thereby rendered this Bill invalid,” Kiriella said, adding that his party hoped to raise the issue in support of petitions being argued against the passing of the Online Safety Bill before the Supreme Court.