Politics

Parliament Approves Landmark Digital Economy Bill

Parliament Approves Landmark Digital Economy Bill

Lawmakers passed the long-debated Digital Economy Bill with a two-thirds majority, paving the way for new e-commerce and data protection rules.

Parliament on Friday approved the Digital Economy Bill after months of committee-stage debate, with 152 members voting in favour. The legislation introduces a comprehensive framework for e-commerce regulation, digital identity and cross-border data flows.

Supporters argue the bill will attract foreign technology investment and give consumers stronger data protection rights. Opposition members, while backing the final draft, called for an independent oversight commission to be established within six months.

The Minister of Technology said implementation guidelines would be published before the end of the quarter, with a phased rollout beginning with the financial services sector.

Written by

Amara De Silva

Senior political correspondent with over a decade of experience covering parliament and public policy.