Sri Lankan government is planning to introduce new laws to make compulsory the registration of new news websites in Sri Lanka while a registration fee and an annual renewal fee will be charged as well, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated.

Speaking at the Cabinet Briefing today (July 12), the Minister stated that a sum of Rs.100,000 will be charged for registration while an annual fee of Rs.50,000 will be charged as a renewal fee.

The Minister stated that the measure, which was approved by the cabinet, was taken to control some news websites which published slanderous content.