News

Fresh comprehensive review of PTA underway

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/18

Govt. briefs international community ahead of Geneva sessions

The government has assured the Colombo-based diplomatic community that the restoration of the provisions in the 19th Amendment, by the enactment of the 21st Amendment, would strengthen parliamentary democracy, enhance oversight of the executive branches of government and ensure independence of key institutions.

The government also said that comprehensive review of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was underway.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, and Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana, on Monday (15), briefed the diplomatic community on current developments. The Foreign Ministry said that the briefing was organized in view of the forthcoming 51st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Minister Sabry outlined the current developments in Sri Lanka, including the democratic transition of the office of the President, in accordance with the Constitution. He outlined several areas of progress, already visible, in addressing some of the immediate challenges which has led to a greater degree of stability for the people. On the political front, the Minister briefed, regarding the work underway towards forming an All-Party Government. He also recalled that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution which effectively restores the 19th Amendment, has been gazetted and is before Parliament. This measure will contribute towards strengthening parliamentary democracy, oversight of the executive branches of government and the independence of key institutions. He also explained the progress that has been initiated towards a comprehensive review of the PTA. The government is taking focused measures to mitigate the adverse impact of the current economic situation on the vulnerable sectors of the population, in order to ensure the economic and social rights of the people and to prevent further disparities. The Minister also noted that despite the unprecedented situation in the country, in recent years, including in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, advancements have been made in the area of human rights and reconciliation, through domestic processes. The government is in the process of building consensus so that further progress can be made on matters, related to human rights, justice and equity. The Foreign Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka will continue its constructive engagement with the Human Rights Council at the upcoming 51st session.

Finance Secretary Siriwardana made a presentation on the current economic situation, focusing on the social safety measures that the Government has adopted for vulnerable groups, with a view to mitigating adverse impacts. The Attorney General elaborated on the legal framework related to the Government’s response to the recent incidents, related to protests, and the imposing of the State of Emergency. Foreign Secretary Wijewardane highlighted Sri Lanka’s continuing and extensive engagement with several procedures and processes of the United Nations Human Rights framework.

During the discussion, that followed the presentations, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, expressed appreciation for the consistent efforts of the Government in facing the challenges and expanding the social safety net of vulnerable groups. She also acknowledged the review of the PTA. The UN Resident Coordinator announced that the UN will be partnering with the Government of Sri Lanka on a five-year framework of cooperation which will include areas of social and economic rights and social cohesion amongst others.

All News Advertisement

News

Thileepan rembered on 39th death anniversary

Published

8 hours ago

2026/09/26

Priyan

(Pic by PRIYAN DE SILVA)

A commemorative service was held in memory of Rasaiah Parthipan commonly known by the nom de guerre ‘Thileepan’ in Nallur Jaffna this morning (26).

Parthipan a revolutionary member of the LTTE and a student of the University of Jaffna, commenced a hunger strike on 15th September 1987 untill his death on 26th September 1987. He was 23 years old at the time of his demise.

Latest News

Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

Published

22 hours ago

2026/09/26

Priyan

The National Building Research Institute has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 16:00 hrs on 25.09.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 26.09.2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Neluwa, Nagoda, Niyagama and Thawalama inthe Galle district, Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, and Kothmale West, Ambagamuwa, Kotmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Elpitiya, Baddegama and Karandeniya in the Galle district, Walallawita in the Kalutara district, Deltota, Udunuwara, Gangawata Korale, Yatinuwara and Panvila in the Kandy district, Aranayake, Dehiowita, Mawanella, Deraniyagala and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district, Thalawakelle in the Nuwara Eliya district and Ratnapura and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colombo district, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Katuwana and Walasmulla in the Hambanthota district, Ingiriya and Bulathsinhala in the Kalutara district, Hatharaliyadda, Poojapitiya, Medadumbara, Kundasale, Ududumbara, Thumpane, Akurana, Pathadumbara, Harispattuwa and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Warakapola, Bulathkohupitiya, Galigamuwa, Kegalle and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kegalle district, Pitabeddara, Kotapola and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district and Elapatha, Ayagama, Nivithigala, Kuruwita and Kalawana in the Ratnapura district

News

22A, Judicature Amendment Bills passed with 2/3 majority

Published

23 hours ago

2026/09/26

Thilina Walpola

Parliament yesterday passed the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill with two-thirds majorities, with 158 MPs voting in favour and 63 against each Bill.

The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) voted with the SJB against the Bills.

NDF MPs Ravi Karunanayake and Faizer Musthapha and SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka were not present when the votes were taken.

The final vote on the Judicature (Amendment) Bill was announced at around 8.08 p.m. after Opposition MPs called for divisions on its clauses during the Committee Stage.

The votes followed a two-day debate which commenced on Thursday (24), after Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Bills for their Second Reading.

The Supreme Court’s determination on the Bills was presented to Parliament on Tuesday (22) by Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne. The Court determined that the 22nd Amendment Bill did not require approval at a referendum and could be passed by a special two-thirds majority in Parliament.

The amendment provides for raising the mandatory retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and that of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. It also provides for the Chief Justice to retire at 67 or after completing six years in office, whichever comes earlier.

The Speaker informed Parliament that the Judicature (Amendment) Bill could be passed by a simple majority.

The SJB opposed the legislation and its MPs attended Parliament dressed in black yesterday. The party also staged a protest at Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla, under the theme “No to 22, which destroys democracy”, with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several SJB politicians participating.