News
CSCD attacks proposed anti-terrorism law
The Civil Society Collective for Democracy (CSCD) says that it strongly opposes the proposed Anti-Terrorism Law because it violates the Constitution and endangers the freedoms and human rights that are guaranteed in a democratic society.
A statement by the CSDC says: “The government is presenting its proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) to be fast-tracked through Parliament, in a context in which it has come under significant international pressure to repeal or amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The PTA has been widely criticized, both within Sri Lanka and internationally, due to its potential for abuse. Recently, three persons held under the PTA for 14 years were acquitted by the Court which is but the tip of an iceberg of abuse over a very long period.
“While as members of the civil society of Sri Lanka we support the repeal of the PTA, we are concerned that the draft ATA, presented by the government to replace it, has several features that are worse than the PTA. These would impact on the democratic space and rights available to political parties, trade unions, and civic activists.
“Among the worst features of the proposed ATA is its vague and broad definition of terrorism which would include theft of government property and trade union action. It also includes legitimate democratic actions including protests, publishing material, demands for action by the government, strikes, and disputes relating to racial and religious places. The law permits police or military or coast guard personnel of any rank to arrest anyone on whom they have reasonable suspicion of being involved in acts, such as those given above. Once a person is arrested, that person can be detained for up to 24 hours, and even more depending on the situation, in a place of the arresting party’s choosing. The plight of a young person arrested in such a manner can be imagined. Thereafter, if a detention order is signed by a more senior police officer, those arrested can be held for up to three months without being presented before a court of law. All these provisions demonstrate the enormous potential for abuse of this law.
“We the Civil Society Collective for Democracy strongly oppose the proposed ATA because it violates the Constitution and endangers the freedoms and human rights that are guaranteed in a democratic society.
This law is far too broad and leaves wide open who can be arrested, by whom they can be arrested, and for what purpose they are arrested. The present economic situation in the country is very difficult for the masses of people with the economy set to contract by a further four percent this year in addition to the eight percent last year. Through no fault of the people, the country was made bankrupt by those that governed it. We fear that the proposed ATA will be used to make the people bear the full weight of the economic burden by those who are responsible for the calamity, by suppressing the space to question, to expose and to dissent with the Government. As such, it would create an environment of fear among trade unions, journalists and civil society, thereby intensifying the prevailing democratic deficit and violating the Fundamental Rights of Sri Lankans.
“Therefore, we demand that the Government withdraw the proposed ATA and honour its duty to protect democracy and the rights of citizens and to uphold its international obligations related to human rights and democratic freedoms.”
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight on Saturday (May 30).
Accordingly,
the price of Auto Diesel has been increased by Rs. 15 to Rs.407 per liter,
the price of Super Diesel has been increased by Rs. 20 to Rs. 478 per liter.
the price of Petrol 92 Octane has been increased by Rs. 24 to Rs. 434 per liter
the price of Petrol 95 Octane up by Rs. 25 to Rs. 495 per liter
the price of kerosene by Rs. 20 to Rs. 285 per liter.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has called for a comprehensive reform programme within Sri Lanka’s Buddhist clergy, warning that repeated efforts to strengthen the Sasana have in the past been derailed by opposition from within sections of the Sangha itself.
In a statement addressed to the Mahanayake Theras of the three Buddhist chapters, Kumaratunga stressed that the long-term preservation of Buddhism depends on safeguarding both the Dhamma and Vinaya, or disciplinary code, and urged urgent internal reform to address what she described as deep-rooted structural weaknesses.
She noted that Buddhist history has consistently demonstrated that periods of institutional crisis were addressed through reform processes, citing precedents from the First Buddhist Council to reforms during the Kandyan era under Welivita Sri Saranankara Thera.
Referring to post-independence efforts, Kumaratunga said initiatives taken during the 1956 Bandaranaike administration to strengthen Buddhism were left incomplete following the assassination of former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike.
She further stated that during her own presidency, plans to convene a Buddhist Council under the guidance of the late Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thera had received government backing but were ultimately abandoned due to resistance from certain sections within the clergy.
The former President alleged that, on both occasions, vested interests benefiting from existing weaknesses within the Buddhist establishment had worked to obstruct meaningful reform efforts.
Warning that Buddhism in Sri Lanka is currently facing serious challenges, she called for a broad internal dialogue within the Sangha to identify root causes and implement both short- and long-term corrective measures.
Kumaratunga urged the Mahanayake Theras to take the lead in convening a Dharma Sanghayana, or Buddhist Council, and said she was prepared to work with senior lay Buddhist leaders to support such an initiative.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Friday ordered the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Bhashwara Gunaratne, Managing Director Rumi Jauffer and several others over the alleged misuse of Rs. 7.8 million belonging to the Tourism Promotion Authority during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election campaign.
Magistrate Pasan Amarasena directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest and produce the suspects before court, after it was informed that they would be named under the Public Property Act on the advice of the Attorney General.
The CID told court that attempts to take the suspects into custody from their residences had been unsuccessful as they were not present.
The Magistrate also imposed an overseas travel ban on the suspects and ordered that the Controller of Immigration and Emigration be notified.
Investigations have reportedly revealed that the funds were used to print 12,000 T-shirts bearing an image of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on one side and the name of a political party on the other.
According to the CID, the T-shirts were later distributed at a political event held in the Monaragala District.
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