Parties raise objections against first court case under Online Safety Act

• The matter was fixed for May 2 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatte 

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The respondent parties in the first application filed before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under the newly enacted Online Safety Act, today raised objections challenging the maintainability of the application.  

Defence counsel who appeared on behalf of the respondents informed the Court that they are expecting to raise objections challenging the maintainability of the application on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. The matter was fixed for May 2 by Colombo Additional Magistrate 
Tharanga Mahawatte.  
In his application Janaka Ratnayake, alleged that respondents had circulated or attempted to circulate private information. The Petitioner further alleged that he was a “targeted individual” and that one or more of the several Respondents named in the Petition were intentionally harassing the Petitioner by communicating false statements.  
An application was made on behalf of the Petitioner to prevent the circulation of the said information under Section 24 of the Online Safety Act No. 09 of 2024.  
President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa with Counsel Vishwa de Livera Tennekoon, Neranjan Iriyagolla, Rashmini Indatissa, Naveen Jayamanne instructed by Mithun Diasz appeared for the petitioner.   
President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, Nalinda Indatissa PC, Senior Counsel Chaminda Athukorala and Hafeel Farisz appeared for the respondents.