SC grants leave to proceed to petitions challenging de-radicalisation regulations

Thursday, 27 January 2022 01:52 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Interim order stopping operation of regulations till final decision
Next hearing of case in August

By Farook Thajudeen

The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed in a fundamental rights petition challenging the constitutionality of regulations made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for the de- radicalisation of persons holding extremist religious ideologies.

Three petitions were filed challenging the regulations, including by the Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu and a former Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Ambika Satkunanathan.

The SC also issued an interim order stopping the operation of the regulations until the conclusion of the case.

The relevant regulations were published in the gazette in March 2021. The case will be next taken up on 24 August.