Parliament approves regulations under PTA to deal with new terror groups

Saturday, 22 June 2019 00:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Prevention of Terrorism (Proscription of Extremist Organisations) Regulations get approval
Three groups proscribed are NTJ, JMI, WAS
Regulations will help clamp down on those having links the groups including funders and those espousing their cause

Parliament yesterday approved new regulations under the Prevention of Terrorism (PTA) Act proscribing the three groups linked to the Easter Sunday terror attacks as well as tough new regulations to deal with those having links these groups including those funding them and espousing their cause.

Parliament approves...

The Regulations cited as the Prevention of Terrorism (Proscription of Extremist Organizations) Regulations No. 1 of 2019 were presented to Parliament by Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella and were approved without a vote.

The three groups proscribed are the National Thawheed Jamath (NTJ), Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim (JMI) and Willayath As Seylani (WAS).

The Regulations state: “No person shall, within or outside Sri Lanka be a member or cadre of; provide leadership to; wear, display, hoist or possess the uniform, dress, symbol, emblem, or flag of; summon, convene, conduct or take part in a meeting of; obtain membership or join; harbour, conceal, assist a member, cadre or any other associate of; promote, encourage, support, advice, assist, act on behalf of; organise or take part in any activity or event of; donate or contribute money or material to; procure, store, transport, possess or distribute material for or of; espouse the cause of or represent; engage in any transaction with; or cause the dissemination of information on behalf of any of above organisations.”

Any person found guilty could be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 20 years.

Furthermore, any person has custody of any moneys, securities or credits which are being used or are intended to be used, for the purposes of the above organisations could be forfeited to the State.

However, provisions of these regulations would not be affecting the right of an international organisations which was approved by the Secretary of the Defence Ministry and has entered into an agreement with the Government to engage humanitarian assistance activities.

President Maithripala Sirisena signed the Extraordinary Gazette Notification on 13 May.