Saturday Apr 11, 2026
Saturday Apr 11, 2026
Friday, 10 April 2026 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has called on the Government to withdraw recently tabled amendment Bills on anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT), urging a more inclusive and transparent consultative process.
In a statement issued
yesterday, the CPA raised concerns over the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill and the Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment) Bill, which were presented in Parliament to align with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements.
The organisation said the proposed laws contain provisions that could expand investigative powers with limited judicial oversight, posing potential risks to privacy and professional obligations. It cautioned that the scope of such powers, if not adequately checked, could lead to unintended consequences.
The CPA also criticised the legislative process, noting that the Bills were tabled without sufficient public consultation and ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period, thereby limiting the window for legal scrutiny and possible challenges.
It warned that the legislation, in its current form, could be misused to restrict freedom of expression and association, and stressed the need for stronger safeguards to prevent abuse.
The CPA said any reforms aimed at strengthening financial integrity must be balanced with the protection of fundamental rights, calling on the Government to revisit the proposed amendments through a more participatory and transparent process.
