January 23, Colombo (LNW): The government is in the process of preparing a cabinet paper to establish a committee tasked with abolishing the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara disclosed.
The new committee will also focus on drafting a replacement piece of legislation – the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which aims to fully align with international human rights standards.
Minister Nanayakkara expressed his confidence that the cabinet paper would be approved in the upcoming parliamentary session, marking a significant step in the government’s efforts to reform the country’s counter-terrorism laws.
“I am hopeful that, during the next parliamentary session, I will be able to confirm that the cabinet has given its approval for the repeal of the PTA and the introduction of a new ATA that is fully compliant with international norms,” he said.
The PTA has long been a contentious issue in Sri Lanka, facing criticism from both local and international human rights organisations.
Concerns over its misuse have been widespread, with accusations that it has been used to violate the rights of individuals, often without adequate legal safeguards.
These concerns have led to calls for a more transparent and human rights-respecting approach to counter-terrorism.
The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act is expected to address these issues by creating a legal framework that balances national security concerns with the protection of fundamental rights.
It is anticipated that the new law will be crafted in a manner that brings Sri Lanka’s counter-terrorism efforts in line with international best practices whilst ensuring that the country’s security needs are met effectively.
