Sri Lanka Passes Controversial Internet Regulation Bill Amid Concerns Over Free Speech
• Sri Lankan lawmakers passed a controversial Online Safety Bill to regulate internet use and online content • The bill aims to prohibit certain online statements and prevent misuse of online accounts • It will create an Online Safety Commission to issue directives to stop communication of prohibited statements • Human rights groups criticized the bill as an attempt to stifle dissent and criticism rather than protect against online abuse • The bill comes amid a wider crackdown on dissent under President Ranil Wickremesinghe after protests over Sri Lanka's economic crisis