By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has reportedly appointed a committee consisting of senior attorneys to probe the controversial ‘Anti-Terrorism Bill’, one that has been introduced as replacement to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Should the new BASL committee find any problem with the new bill, the BASL will go before the Supreme Court against it, according to Chairperson Kaushalya Navaratne.
Since introduction, the new Anti-Terrorism Bill has been subject to controversy due to its purported provisions repressing all sorts of anti-government movements, in what critics described as a direct blow in the head against democracy.
Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa who strongly advocates for the bill said it was prepared in accordance with international standards.
