A signature drive organised by ‘Jana Yukthiya’ convened by MP M.A. Sumanthiran was held in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station today (15) in objection to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The program was initiated in the North and East as well.
The signature drive in the Colombo District was endorsed by the Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith by adding his signature as the first person.
Joining the event MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam stated that the PTA, which was introduced as a temporary law in 1979, is still being amended and enacted and the law is also being misunderstood by the people.
Although the enactment of a law preventing terrorism should exist in any country, the law enforced in Sri Lanka is applicable to arrest any person at will, the MP revealed. According to the PTA, endorsing this very campaign could subject one to being arrested, Rasamanickam pointed out.
The event was attended by a number of opposition political representatives, trade union members and civil activists.
MIAP