Sri Lanka delays contentious anti-terrorism bill

Minister of Justice Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the presentation of the anti-terrorism bill that was widely denounced across all social sectors in the country was delayed following the requests made by the opposition and lawyers.

The Sri Lankan Government has published the Anti-Terrorism Bill in the gazette to substitute the Prevention of Terrorism Act that was condemned at international level.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) noted that the bill has been published in the Gazette without  adequate consultations with the respective stakeholders, including the BASL.

On that account, the BASL called upon the Government to consider deferring the Bill until there is a wider stakeholder consultation and the concerns of stakeholders including the BASL are taken cognizance of.

In addition, the BASL said that it takes notice that the bill requires strong emphasis and as such, has appointed a committee of senior lawyers to review the legality and the sequels of the bill and report to the Management Committee of the BASL.