Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has come under criticism after filing legal complaints under Sri Lanka’s controversial Online Safety Act (OSA) against Tamil media organisations, journalists and social media users, despite previously warning that the law could be used to suppress the freedom of expression.
The complaints have sparked renewed debate over the Online Safety Act and raised concerns about the growing use of sweeping cyber laws to target journalists and political critics.
Rasamanickam, who represents the Batticaloa district for the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), has filed legal action claiming that false information about him had been circulated through Tamil media outlets and social media platforms.
According to court documents, the complaint argues that pieces published by Tamil media and individuals on social media constitute defamatory material that should be blocked.
The application, filed under Section 24 of the Online Safety Act, seeks an order from the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court to prevent the publication and dissemination of such content. After hearing arguments in the cases, Colombo Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama issued interim restraining orders affecting a number of Tamil media outlets and individuals. The court order prohibits the publication or dissemination of content deemed defamatory or critical of the MP in what the complaint describes as a false or negative manner until the matter is heard further in court.
Media organisations named in the case reportedly include IBC Tamil, Lankasri and Tamilwin, along with media personalities and individuals associated with those platforms. Several individuals have also been named in the case, including Baskaran Kandiah, Niraj Patrick David and Ashok Louis Marianayagam alias Tamilarasan. A separate case has reportedly been filed against 25 individuals, including Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanethiran and Umakaran Ira Saiya, many of whom operate social media accounts in Batticaloa and elsewhere.
Previous opposition to the law
The legal action has drawn particular scrutiny because ITAK had previously strongly opposed the Online Safety Act when it was introduced in Parliament.
During the parliamentary debate on 24 January 2024, Rasamanickam himself sharply criticised the legislation, warned that it could be used to silence political dissent. Those earlier warnings have now resurfaced in public debate, with critics accusing the MP of a stark political contradiction.
The controversy comes amid long-standing international criticism of Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Act. Human rights organisations including the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), Amnesty International, Article 19, and the International Commission of Jurists have warned that the legislation risks undermining freedom of expression.
The law has been widely criticised for granting broad powers to block content and prosecute individuals for online speech. Journalists and activists have repeatedly warned that such provisions could be used to silence dissent and suppress criticism of political figures.