Legal amendments to deal with fake news

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the decision to amend the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code in order to include laws that deal with the circulation of false information.

The proposal in this regard was out forth by the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms and the Oversight Committee on National Security.

The amendment is due to be introduced in a manner that the circulation of false news items can be dealt with in the event it harms national security and reconciliation among all races.

The Cabinet approved amendments that see a perpetrator fined up to Rs.1 million or either issued a five year prison sentence.