Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024 11 (m) to acquire and hold property movable and immovable, and to sell, lease, mortgage, exchange, or otherwise dispose of the same; (n) to enter into such contracts as may be necessary for the exercise, performance and discharge of its powers, duties and functions; (o) to obtain the assistance of the police in the conduct of any investigation undertaken by the Commission; (p) to appoint, employ and dismiss members of the staff of the Commission and to exercise disciplinary control over such staff; and (q) generally, to do all such other acts and things as are incidental to or consequential in the exercise, performance and discharge of its powers, duties and functions under this Act. PART III PROHIBITION OF ONLINE COMMUNICATION OF FALSE STATEMENTS 12. Any person, whether in or outside Sri Lanka, who poses a threat to national security, public health or public order or promotes feelings of ill-will and hostility between different classes of people, by communicating a false statement, commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand rupees or to both such imprisonment and fine. Prohibition of communication of false statements in Sri Lanka