By Chenuka Elwitigala
Forget TV ads and big donors – a smartphone, a subway ride, and a meme or two were all it took for Zohran Mamdani to topple a political titan in one of America’s most watched races.
Zohran Kwame Mamdani an immigrant turned US citizen made the debut to politics in 2021 when he was…
By Darshatha Gamage
The Online Safety Act No 9 of 2024 stands as one of the most debated and contentious pieces of legislation in Sri Lanka’s recent history. Gazetted on September 15, 2023, under the directive of the Ministry of Public Security, the Act was introduced with the stated objective of preventing the misuse of…
By Brayan Jayawardhana
Two weeks ago, on March 10, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sirkorski took to X to respond to Elon Musk’s claim that Ukraine’s “entire front line” would collapse if he turned Starlink off.
Sirkorski, who seemed agitated if not angry, tweeted that Poland was paying for Starlink’s use in Ukraine, and that if…
By Darshatha Gamage
Philosopher Bertrand Russell, in his seminal work On the Nature of Truth, posed two enduring questions:
"In any inquiry into the nature of truth, two questions meet us on the threshold: In what sense, if any, is truth dependent upon mind? Are there many different truths, or is there only the Truth?"…
By Deshani Samaragunarathna
In the contemporary landscape of the Middle East, information technology has become a potent tool for power. The region's social and political landscapes are diversifying, reflecting significant changes in how information is disseminated, consumed, and wielded. Over the past few decades, particularly since the Arab Spring, the media landscape has transformed dramatically.…
By Kaushalya Wickramanayake
Brief Context of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved from sci-fi fantasy to modern technology in a blink of an eye. In today’s world, Apple Siri is ready to engage in conversation whenever someone is feeling bored, Google Assistant provides recommendations for the best stores to purchase favorite dresses based on…
By Kasun Thilina Kariyawasam
Many people have benefited from the ancient Chinese silk road, which connected large parts of the world. When we think of the Silk Road, we immediately think of silk, porcelain, and various precious stones. However, the Silk Road was also a route for countries to share knowledge and technology. Cotton weaving…
By Britney Martil
South Asia continues to grapple with the complex challenge of internet censorship. As governments deploy measures to control online content and restrict connectivity, concerns surrounding digital freedom have grown.
This comparative analysis sheds light on the nuanced landscape of internet censorship in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, examining key incidents, government actions, and…
By Jagath Liyanarachchi
Background
Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Mass Media and Ali Sabry, President’s Counsel, Minister of Justice, presented a cabinet paper on April 1, 2022, seeking permission from the Cabinet of Ministers to present a draft of a bill to “protect society from the harm caused by false propaganda on the internet.”
This had…
By Uditha Devapriya with Nevindi Jayawardana and Dilshan Bataduwaarachchi
By the time Pakistanis headed for elections on February 8, Imran Khan had been served a 14-year jail sentence, on top of other charges and allegations. Barely a week earlier, Khan, the country’s most popular Opposition figure, had been disqualified from holding office for 10…
By Jagath Liyanaarachchi
Online Safety Bill
As per the directive of the Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles, the Online Safety Bill was published in the Gazette on September 18, 2023. On October 10, 2023, the bill was tabled in the Parliament for the first reading.
The Bill envisages the establishment of a Commission for…
By Muhammad Aftab Alam
A review of Proposed Legislation in Pakistan and Sri Lanka
In September 2023, the Sri Lankan government introduced an Online Safety Bill to establish an “Online Safety Commission”, the purported objective being “to prevent the use of online accounts and inauthentic online accounts for prohibited purposes and to suppress the financing…