News
Austria adopts anti-terror package, ‘preventive detention’ on hold
Following 2 Nov. attack:
In the wake of recent attack in Vienna that claimed the lives of four persons, Austria has adopted a security package to deal with terrorism. Austria made initial announcement a week after the Nov 2 attack blamed on a person described as an Islamist.
According to Austrian media, the government presented the package on Wednesday, Dec 16. In terms of the new package, the symbol law has been amended so that symbols of the right-wing extremist Identitarian Movement and those of some Islamist organizations could be banned; the media quoted Interior Minister Karl Nehammer as having said. The media also attributed stepped up electronic surveillance to Interior Minister Karl Nehammer and Justice Minister Alma Zadic.
However, the government refrained from adopting what it called preventive detention as part of overall security reforms for the time being.
The anti-terror package consists of following measures:
· Creation of a new criminal offense: The central component of the federal government’s new anti-terrorist package is the creation of a separate criminal offense to combat political Islam. The new paragraph 247b “Religiously motivated extremist association” in the Criminal Code is directed against organizations that fight the democratic constitutional order and want to replace it with a religiously based social and state order (such as the Sharia). According to the Criminal Code, anyone who establishes such an association, is a leader in such an association or otherwise participates in or supports it can now be punished.
Religiously motivated political extremism is becoming an aggravating factor under criminal law: A new aggravation factor for religiously motivated extremist motives is also being introduced. This should make it possible to take effective action against new forms of extremism.
· Radical mosques will be closed: Changes in the Islamic Law will create a new legal basis for closing radical mosques more quickly and easily. Specifically, in the future, the Office of Cultural Affairs should react much faster – and in particularly serious cases even without being asked to stop – and close mosques.
· Introduction of an imams’ directory: mosques and imams must be listed in a new directory. This directory will also include foreign imams and enables a transparent overview of which imam is preaching in which mosque, according to Integration Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP). In this way, effective action can be taken against mosques that provide a platform for hate preachers from abroad. Sanctions are also planned for non-compliance.
· Stricter foreign financing ban: The foreign financing ban on mosques (Islam Law 2015) is now being tightened. In future, mosque institutions and the associations behind the mosques will be legally obliged to submit all financial documents. Here too, sanctions are planned for non-compliance.
· Improved data exchange: In addition, appropriate legal bases are created in order to improve the data and information exchange between the security authorities and the cultural office to implement these measures.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The government would not extend the suspension of ‘parate executions’ that was now effective, Deputy Minister of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma told Parliament yesterday.
Suriyapperuma said so in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who asked about the government’s plans regarding a relief package to assist small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) struggling to repay loans.
Pointing out that about 263,000 SMEs had closed down, Premadasa asked what action the government would take to address the grievances of these SMEs.
He said that from 01 Jan., 2019, to 01 Dec., 31, 2023, licensed banks had collected Rs. 113.7 billion through 2,263 parate executions. As of 31 Dec., 2024, Rs. 1,380 billion had been recovered from Stage III defaulters.
The government has introduced loan schemes to assist SMEs impacted by the economic crisis. They included capital loans of up to Rs. 10 million, with a six-month grace period and a three-year repayment term at 8% interest, Suriyapperuma said. Additionally, another loan scheme under the consolidated fund aimed to help SMEs that werecurrently paying their loans. That scheme offered loans of up to Rs. 15 million, which must be repaid over ten years with a one-year grace period and a 7% interest rate. For SMEs that had defaulted on their loans, a loan of up to Rs. 5 million is available at 8% interest, with a six-month grace period and a five-year repayment term, Suriyapperuma said.
By Saman Indrajith
The Parliament yesterday approved a Resolution to appoint a Committee of Inquiry (CoI) in terms of Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, to remove Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon from office.
The parliament announced 151 votes were received in favour of the Resolution and was passed without debate. Three opposition MPs R. Ramanathan Archuna, Nizam Kariyappar, Mujibur Rahuman and Ajith P Perera voted with the government.
The Resolution moved by NPP MP Lalkmali Hemachandra aims to appoint the CoI to investigate charges of misconduct and gross abuse of power of his office.
NPP MP Gayan Janaka seconded the motion.
SLMC MP Nizam Kariyappar said that the motion carrying the resolution should better be amended citing the Standing Order 91 (F) stating that the matter of Tennakoon was sub judice.
Deputy Speaker Dr. Mohamed Rizvie Salih said that the matter does not arise as per the agreements reached by the party leaders.
Chief Government Whip Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa called for a division on the resolution.
By Saman Indrajith
Sajith asks govt. to submit its MoUs with India to Parliament
Govt. won’t extend suspension of ‘parate executions’
Resolution to remove IGP: Resolution passed, four Opp MPs vote with govt.
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