Govt accused of trying to rush through CTA using Easter Sunday attacks

The Government came under severe criticism today (8) from the Opposition, who alleged it was trying to rush through the draft Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) using the environment created by Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

By Sandun Jayawardana

Speaking in Parliament in response to a question raised by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe insisted that current laws were inadequate to take action against Sri Lankans involved in terrorist activities overseas. This was one of the reasons why authorities could not arrest Sri Lankans who had returned after fighting for the Islamic State in Syria. The PM argued that the proposed CTA would rectify this by including clauses that would bring those who engage in terrorist activities and intimidating populations outside the country within the ambit of the CTA.

The JVP Leader though, countered that the Government can use the CTA to crack down on the protests and trade union activities. “There are provisions within the CTA which allow the Government to designate such actions too as terrorist activities,” he alleged.

Mr Dissanayake also pointed out that intelligence agencies had been aware that Sri Lankan nationals had left to join the Islamic State since 2014, with some later returning to the country. “Yet, at no point has the PM spoken about current laws being inadequate to take action against such individuals prior to April 21, this year. If he knew that laws were inadequate, why did he wait till after the attacks to raise it?” he queried.

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Chaminda Weerakkody noted that during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee where the draft CTA was discussed this week, the Directors of the Criminal Investigation Department, the Terrorism Investigation Department and officials from the Attorney General’s Department had all stated that current laws were adequate to take action against the terrorists.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, meanwhile urged the PM to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to examine the proposed CTA.