The Police stated that if the proposed Online Safety Commission (OSC) under the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024 (OSA) is appointed, and the OSA is thereby effectively implemented, it could help reduce online scams to a certain extent.

In recent years, Sri Lanka has experienced a significant increase in financial and other types of scams perpetrated through online platforms.

When queried by The Daily Morning as to whether there should be any new legal reforms to tackle online scams, Police Media Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa said that the proper implementation of the OSA would help prevent online scams to some extent. 

“It is because the existing legal provisions are not sufficient that the OSA was introduced, but it is not implemented. For it to be implemented, the OSC should be appointed, but it has not been done yet. If the Commission is appointed, and the OSA is implemented, we can prevent online scams to some extent,” he explained.

The OSA states: “There shall be established an OSC which shall exercise and perform the powers and functions assigned to it under this Act for the purpose of achieving the objectives of this Act.”

Increasing online scams have ensnared countless individuals, leading to substantial financial losses and emotional distress in the recent past. Victims of such scams often find themselves grappling with the consequences, which may include drained savings, damaged credit, and significant stress. The Police, including the Criminal Investigations Department have arrested hundreds of suspects including foreigners for having perpetrated such scams.