Protecting Children Online: What is Missing from Sri Lanka’s Proposed Bill?
In an article published in the Daily FT on 30 June 2026, Attorney-at-Law and LIRNEasia Researcher Sachini Ranasinghe examines the Private Member’s Bill proposed by Opposition MP Faiszer Musthapha, which seeks to restrict social media access for children under the age of 16 in Sri Lanka. She argues that the key question is not whether children need stronger protection online, but whether Sri Lanka is proposing the right solution and has undertaken the groundwork necessary to make such legislation effective.
Cybersecurity Policy Considerations for Sri Lanka
As societies become increasingly reliant on digital systems, safeguarding information infrastructure is paramount for economic stability, public safety, and national security. LIRNEasia has been closely analysing Sri Lanka’s evolving cybersecurity policy landscape and was recently invited to participate in a closed-door dialogue between diplomats and policymakers to evaluate the country’s cybersecurity policy.
LIRNEasia Research Fellow Ashwini Natesan at Media Forward 2025
Media Forward 2025 was held from 24–26 November 2025 in Colombo, organised by UNDP Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Broadcasters’ Guild, Hashtag Generation, Factum, Verité Media and Politics, the Media Law Forum, the Free Media Movement, and the Sri Lanka Digital Journalists’ Association. LIRNEasia Research Fellow Ashwini Natesan joined as a panelist for the first session of the event, titled ‘Strengthening Coordination and Shared Accountability in Digital Spaces’.
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