Sri Lanka IT industry warns online security bill threatens growth
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA — Major Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) stakeholders in Sri Lanka have jointly voiced concerns about the country’s proposed Online Security Bill that seeks to regulate online content.
The collective IT-BPM industry stakeholders, which include the Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM), Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS), Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL), and British Computer Society (BCS) Sri Lanka, cautioned against provisions holding online platforms liable and warned the government of potential economic setbacks impacting key sectors in the country.
They emphasize the need to align with accepted international regulations, stressing that violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) could damage Sri Lanka’s reputation.
Additionally, the stakeholders warn of reduced ability for authorities to engage in vital international cooperation on data and evidence gathering.
In light of these concerns, the groups issued recommendations urging wider consultations with industry players to ensure a comprehensive understanding of needs. They advocate modifying or removing conflicting provisions to balance security imperatives and digital growth.
Furthermore, the collective called for narrower definitions in the bill to prevent unintended consequences while stressing the importance of safeguarding Sri Lanka’s digital economy.
The joint statement underscores the need for collaborative efforts between industry and government to develop balanced legislation. With Sri Lanka embarking on the digital economy, stakeholders emphasized that the bill’s current form threatens sustainability and foreign investment.
