Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has accused speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena of having violated the constitution by endorsing the online safety act. Premadasa pointed to clause 123(4) of the constitution that requires the government to accommodate Supreme Court recommendations with regard to passing acts of law.
The speaker has acted unlawfully by disregarding the SC endorsements with regard to the act in order to serve the wants of the government, he charged.
A team of SJB lawyers have found nine instances where recommendations made by the SC have not been implemented with regard to the act.
The speaker has ignored the requirement of a magisterial inquiry for issuing orders to a service provider and the call for further amendment to matters of contempt of court.
Also ignored are recommendations to drop clauses 16 and 19 relating to religious sentiments and offences against the state.
Amendments to clauses 20, 29(6), 30(1), 31(1) and 60 too, have been unheeded, added the opposition leader.
