Cabinet approves new legislation to set up National Security Council and Secretariat

• Proposal by President Sirisena comes after Easter Sunday attacks
• New measures to strengthen existing institutional structure to ensure security operations

Cabinet this week gave approval to a proposal by President Maithripala Sirisena to draft legation for establishing the National Security Council, instituted in 1999 under the Public Security Ordinance, as well as to set up a newly-proposed National Security Advisory Committee and a National Security Council Secretariat.

The proposal also advocates the setting up an Experts Committees on National Security (Economic, International Affairs, Social and Religious, Research and Analysis, Scientific and Technological and Strategic Management) by an Act of Parliament.

The proposal was put forward by the President, taking into account the 21 April terrorist attacks, following which was identified the necessity of further strengthening existing institutional structure to ensure that security operations meets the challenges posed to national security.

The Legal Draftsperson will be instructed to draw up the necessary legislation.