The Government will soon present regulations in Parliament to apply sanctions on individuals and entities associated with al-Qaeda or the Taliban, in keeping with its obligations to the United Nations.
The regulations will give effect to the UN Security Council resolution adopted unanimously in October 1999. This resolution sets out wide-ranging strategies for combating
terrorism and particular measures to be imposed against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
The regulations will impose a freeze on funds and other financial assets or economic resources of individuals and entities associated with al-Qaeda or the Taliban.
The Sanctions Committee which was set up after the UNSG resolution has made a “Consolidated List” of persons and entities with links to the two groups and this information will be made available to the Sri Lankan public by the Competent Authority who will be appointed under the new regulations.
The list will be published in the Gazette once the regulations get parliamentary approval and will be updated if there are any subsequent amendments to it. The Committee regularly updates the list on the basis of relevant information provided by member states and international and regional organisations with sixteen updates so far this year.
The regulations prohibit persons from dealing with any funds, other financial assets or economic resources that belong wholly or are jointly owned, held or controlled by a person whose name is on this list. It will also be illegal to make funds, other financial assets or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to any persons who are linked to the two groups. Withholding information regarding funds and assets of al-Qaeda or Taliban operatives too will be an offence punishable by law, under these regulations.
Persons who violate these regulations will be charged in the High Court and, if convicted, will be liable to imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to one million rupees or both. |
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