Minister reveals Sri Lanka’s first arrest under Online Safety Act

11 February 2024 11:03 am - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Panadura, Feb 11 (Daily Mirror) - Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested an individual who had slandered on social media.

Addressing a programme to educate the community police committee members of the Panadura Division, the Minister said the particular individual had about Rs. 400,000 in his possession at the time of his arrest.

He added that the suspect had maliciously carried out smear campaigns with the support of a politician.

"A person was arrested by the CID. He is someone who slanders us online using social media. The suspect claimed that a politician gave money to him. He was arrested right after he went to Fort to exchange dollars to Sri Lankan rupees. They use social media to slander us, the government, the Acting IGP and everyone else," he said.

The Minister said the government brought the Online Safety Act to prevent such occurrences.

He mentioned that they use social media to even topple the government.

Minister Alles emphasized that the Online Safety Act will be an issue only for those who abuse social media.

Comments - 30

Jude Sunday, 11 February 2024 11:46 AM

Yea, you want to control Free speech and that's the idea of OSA. Now English is funny language, you can interpret anything claiming slanderous insulting etc. It not gonna to last come October or later all these oppressive Acts coming to an end.

L Jaya Sunday, 11 February 2024 11:52 AM

Who is this politician, I am sure not from Pohottuwa.

See you in Welikada Sunday, 11 February 2024 11:55 AM

Scare tactic by a bunch of terrified corrupt politicians. You are just fighting against the tsunami called people power.

Corruption Monday, 12 February 2024 10:40 AM

Spot on. If the government is doing a good job

Steve Sunday, 11 February 2024 12:27 PM

What exactly did he do. Did he expose certain Politicians ?

Mahinda Karawita Sunday, 11 February 2024 12:33 PM

Stop this joke please.

Gabriella Sunday, 11 February 2024 12:53 PM

If you criticise the government, it is slander ! Hmmm, the Online Safety Bill or more aptly, the move to Totalitarianism has begun.

Corruption Sunday, 11 February 2024 01:12 PM

But most of the previous corruption

Hassanda Sunday, 11 February 2024 02:09 PM

Mr Minister You mean public cant express their Views and reactions to newspaper Post or any Govt Decisions that effect the Citizens economics situation Is the Govt trying to enforce freedom of speech

Sumo de Silva Monday, 12 February 2024 10:21 AM

Mr? just call his allas.

DOT Sunday, 11 February 2024 02:43 PM

High corruption amongst Ministers and politicians

Onlooker Sunday, 11 February 2024 02:55 PM

Something becomes slanderous only if what is said is untrue. So proof of this must be provided - otherwise it can be termed oppression.

Raven Sunday, 11 February 2024 02:58 PM

Excellent work minister. Hope this type of uncouth, rebellious people can be safely put away for a cleaner society to live in.

M Fernando Sunday, 11 February 2024 04:04 PM

Line #1 of new online safety act reads "no criticizing politicians or accusing them of corruption" Line #2 "Refer to Line 1"

dana Sunday, 11 February 2024 04:18 PM

Online safety act is so much mistakes that was admitted by minister of justice how can sue a person using such

VJ Sunday, 11 February 2024 07:12 PM

I have a mouthful I want to say. I too will get arrested.

Rip Winkle Sunday, 11 February 2024 08:01 PM

Who's the politician if he actually exists?

johan Sunday, 11 February 2024 08:22 PM

Frustrated people are not bothered about any of the bills,because this temporary govt.has no power to pass any bills in parliament without people's mandate.People ousted formerPresident ,PM along with parliamentarians.They are guarded by tri forces and forcibly occupy the parliament.Any interim Govt.should occupy parliament only for six months.Citing non availability of funds to conduct elections and unofficially staying power is not acceptable

Abd Sunday, 11 February 2024 11:22 PM

Government admitted this bill harshly forwarded and it has many mistakes, does government trying to punish wrongdoers under this act is silly

Cheers Monday, 12 February 2024 12:29 AM

Buriyani JVP aragalaya fellows

Ganesh Monday, 12 February 2024 12:36 AM

OSA was to save your sorry arses from public scrutiny. It was never intended to save the innocents like you so called lawmakers said it would be. Not only is big brother watching you but they also hear every word you say.

Ranjit De Alwis Monday, 12 February 2024 05:22 AM

I thought you said the bill was to protect women and children

Venus Vinayagaratnam Saturday, 17 February 2024 02:32 PM

from the people who have power like thugs?

Waco Monday, 12 February 2024 05:24 AM

CID did not arrest Ravi Karunanayake, although there was a warrant to arrest him. Why ? Ravi Karunanayake had the audacity to tell “ CID forgot to arrest me, because of Covid “. Your law is only for some people only

venus vinayagaratnam Saturday, 17 February 2024 02:37 PM

he learnt all that from a young age at home how to get bribes from kids at school and dump that money into private schools, so this is an improved step.

Gayantha Hemachandra Monday, 12 February 2024 05:29 AM

Minister Alles … Do you think you have a god given right to suppress and curtail other peoples rights to freedom of speech and freedom of expression by using those draconian laws? Be mindful… this so called Online Safety Act has been passed without following due process and contrary to the Determination of the Supreme Court. Whenever you guys arresting people using this so called law, you are violating peoples human rights and committing contempt of court because “ In the Eyes of Law No Law called Online Safety Act “ .

Joseph Monday, 12 February 2024 08:52 AM

Judging by the comments, it seems contrary to their claim they still freely express anti government opining

Ronnie Monday, 12 February 2024 11:21 AM

Any person getting involved with unexpectable behavior or elegal activities should be punished.....everything have good and bad need regulations ..

Observer Friday, 16 February 2024 02:38 PM

Those kind of laws and the arrests would pave the way to uncontrolled uprisings and destroying the country.

jananda perera Friday, 16 February 2024 08:12 PM

Like keheliya went to jail becaue of social media expose this incidents,so you want to stop all coruuption,by impose this bill? still hiding all thieves One day will go to jail all gang

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Minister reveals Sri Lanka’s first arrest under Online Safety Act

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