Parliament, Feb. 1-Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane today endorsed the certificate on the Online Safety Bill which was approved by parliament last week, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

Accordingly, the said Bill will come into effect as the Online Safety Act No.9 of 2024.   

The bill was passed without a vote in the House after a two-day debate during which the opposition launched a scathing attack saying it borders on the infringement of the freedom of expression.

During the Second Reading, the bill was taken to vote with 108 supporting it and 62 opposing.