Possibility of borrowing from yahapalana govt.’s counterterror bill explored

PTA amendments or new law:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

On the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a high-level committee, chaired by Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, has explored the possibility of utilising certain provisions of the Counter Terrorism Bill formulated by the previous administration.

The 10-member committee has been asked to propose whether to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) (Temporary Provisions) Act of No 48 of 1979 or draft a new counter-terrorism law.

The United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), and a section of the international community, particularly the European Union, want the government to bring the PTA in line with international standards. The EU recently took up the issue with President Rajapaksa.

The SLPP government withdrew that Counter Terrorism Bill, in Dec. 2019, soon after Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s victory at the presidential election.

Secretary to the President, Dr. P. B. Jayasundera has instructed the officials’ committee to fully examine the issues at hand, including the sections that have come under ‘intense scrutiny and criticism domestically and internationally for being inconsistent with domestic legislation and international obligations, standards and best practices.’

The committee has been asked to hand over its recommendations to an eight-member committee chaired by Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, tasked to re-visit the PTA. The ministerial committee includes Dinesh Gunawardena, Douglas Devananda, Dullas Alahapperuma, Basil Rajapaksa, Udaya Gammanpila and Ali Sabry, PC.

Jeewanthi Senanayake, Senior Assistant Secretary to the President serves as the Secretary to both committee of officials and the cabinet-subcommittee.

The committee of officials includes senior representatives from Justice, Public Security, Legal Draftsman’s Department, Attorney General’s Department, Foreign Ministry, Police and Chief of National Intelligence (CNI).