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Abolish executive presidency and repeal oppressive acts, Lawyers’ Collective demands
View(s):The Lawyers’ Collective has called on the government to focus on abolishing the Executive Presidency and repealing the Prevention of Terrorism and Online Safety Acts.
The Collective issued a statement on December 5 urging Sri Lanka’s new Cabinet of Ministers and the members of the 10th Parliament to act on the legislative mandate granted by the people in the recent elections.
The collective emphasised the importance of aligning the country’s legislative agenda with the sovereign will of the people, addressing several critical reforms that they believe are essential for the nation’s future.
One of the key reforms highlighted by the Lawyers’ Collective is the abolition of the Executive Presidency, which they argue has been detrimental to democracy, the rule of law, and the independence of public institutions including the judiciary. “The abuse of power and undermining of all public institutions and the corruption that has accompanied this have been witnessed by citizens for decades, especially in 2009-2024,” the collective stated, adding that “The task of drafting a constitution to abolish the Executive Presidency can be completed in a few months in the First year of office”.
Another critical issue raised was the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which the collective described as an oppressive law that has been misused by successive governments to suppress civil rights. The PTA, with its vague definition of terrorism and sweeping powers of arrest, has long been a point of contention for human rights advocates. “The PTA has made a mockery of the anti-terrorism legal framework in Sri Lanka and has been repeatedly used by successive governments against individuals, groups and institutions to suppress legitimate freedoms of expression, assembly and other civic rights,” the collective noted.
The collective also called for the repeal of the controversial Online Safety Act of 2023, which they argue regresses Sri Lanka’s position on defamation laws and infringes on freedom of speech with its broad definitions and powers. “The Online Safety Act was proposed under the guise of protecting the rights of women and children, and its scheme is overwhelmingly focused on defamation and critique,” the Collective said.
Additionally, the Lawyers’ Collective highlighted concerns regarding the autonomy of Sri Lanka’s public universities, particularly in the ongoing crisis at Ruhuna University. They urged that any intervention in university governance should respect due process, natural justice, and the independence of academic institutions.
They called on the government to prioritize this reform and move forward with constitutional changes, noting that previous attempts have stalled due to the lack of a 2/3 majority in Parliament. They stressed that now, with the current mandate, the government must act swiftly to ensure accountability and governance by the people.
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