A statement from Nalinda regarding the Nalanda student-teacher video

This is the answer given by Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to a question raised by a journalist at today's (27th) Cabinet media briefing regarding the video incident involving a student leader and teachers of Nalanda College, Colombo. "As a government, when we look at such issues, the dissemination of such content targeting personal information and privacy can cause serious problems in the private lives of those individuals.

It is not our task to determine the right or wrong of this.

Beyond the judicial process, as a government, a formal program should be implemented in the future regarding this initiative that targets personal information and for the regulation of social media. There can be no connection between a teacher or a minister going to school and being sleepy.

This demonstrates the moral decline and the breakdown of value systems in our society. There is a serious deterioration evident here regarding humanity and how we, as a society, should position ourselves. This is just one instance where that tragedy existing within society has surfaced. There are many reasons that have led a society or an institutional system to reach such a state.

There is no point in regretting the aftermath of an incident once it has occurred. The government has paid close attention to this matter, and the Ministry of Education has already called for an investigation. The government has focused on protecting the identity and privacy of individuals. Although we have constantly spoken about media freedom until now, attention must now also be paid to the impact of media and social media on citizens. If these media organizations or social media handlers do not self-regulate, the government will have to intervene.

A regulatory mechanism should be adopted in this regard, and the Online Safety Bill is just one stage of it. It is currently in its final stage. The bill will be brought forward after the completion of public consultation.

Due to such incidents, someone might even lose their life. There is no point in taking action after such attempts are reported. That is why the government is taking these measures for the safety of its citizens."