Cabinet approves committee to review amended Anti-Terrorism Bill

Friday, 21 February 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday approved the appointment of a committee chaired by President’s Counsel Riyanzi Arsakularathne to review and propose further amendments to the revised Prevention of Terrorism Bill.

The committee is tasked to conduct a thorough study of the final draft prepared by the Legal Draftsman before presenting its recommendations.

Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 was originally introduced to counter threats to national security and public peace. The law was later amended in 2022 under Act No. 12 of 2022, as an interim measure while drafting a broader, more comprehensive legal framework for counterterrorism.

A new draft Bill was subsequently prepared to replace the existing legislation, but was challenged in the Supreme Court.

In response, the Legal Draftsman incorporated necessary amendments based on the court’s ruling and other identified concerns.

“The newly appointed expert committee is now tasked with refining the proposed law to ensure it aligns with national security needs, human rights standards and legal requirements,” President Anura Kumara Dissanayake promised in his manifesto to abolish oppressive laws, including the PTA, which has long been condemned for its violation of free speech and association rights.