Sri Lanka says controversial anti-terror laws no more in use

By APD writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, Sept. 19 (APD) – Sri Lanka on Tuesday said a controversial anti-terrorism law is no more being used and will be replaced soon.

During and after a 30-year war between Tamil Tiger rebels and the military, Sri Lanka used the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to crackdown on the rebels and rebel supporters.

Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake

However, Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake told Parliament the PTA has not been used for the past six months and will be replaced soon with a new counter terrorism law.

Responding to a question raised in Parliament, the Minister said that there was no need to use the PTA anymore and so it will be replaced.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had last year submitted the policy and legal framework of the new law, which is to replace the PTA.

A committee chaired by Sagala Ratnayake had been appointed to draft the new counter terrorism law instead of the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The government said the new law will provide adequate provisions for prevention of terrorism and affirm Sri Lanka’s commitment on human rights responsibilities.

Last week the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein called on Sri Lanka to move faster on essential post war confidence building measures, including resolving long-pending cases registered under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)