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CSCD attacks proposed anti-terrorism law

Published

3 years ago

2023/04/24

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.”

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Malaysia declares emergency in Sarawak as haze from Indonesia worsens

Published

15 hours ago

2026/09/5

Priyan

This aerial photo taken from a commercial plane shows haze from Indonesian forest fires blanketing a residential district in Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak state on the island of Borneo, on September 5, 2026 (Aljazeera)

Malaysia has declared a state of emergency in a district in Sarawak state after haze caused by wildfires in neighbouring Indonesia increased air pollution to “hazardous” levels.

King Sultan Ibrahim “has consented to the declaration of emergency throughout Serian Division, Sarawak, following haze conditions that have reached air pollution levels hazardous to public health and safety”, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office said in a statement on Thursday.

The declaration followed a formal request from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee after the region’s Air Pollutant Index reached levels warranting consideration of a local emergency.

Under the order, 647 schools in Serian will close from Monday until at least the end of next week, alongside government and private offices, plantations, construction sites and quarries, with only essential services continuing to operate.

The state’s disaster management authorities said a three-day cloud-seeding operation launched on Thursday would be extended to at least Monday, citing forecasts of “more conducive cloud formations” during that period.

Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee chairman Douglas Uggah Embas, speaking at a news conference in Kuching, stressed that the emergency applied only to Serian, not the entire state, but urged residents there to take the situation seriously.

“Please minimise outdoor activities and avoid strenuous activities outdoors,” he said.

Sarawak, in the northern part of Borneo island, has been heavily affected by haze for weeks, as have the neighbouring states of Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

(Aljazeera)

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Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)

Published

18 hours ago

2026/09/5

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is
overhead today (05) are Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon

News

Namal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation

Published

20 hours ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

Namal Rajapaksa being brought to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was yesterday remanded until September 18 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an investigation into the controversial SriLankan Airlines Airbus aircraft transaction.

Rajapaksa appeared before the CIABOC at around 9.15 am yesterday to record a statement after being summoned over the transaction. He was taken into custody following several hours of questioning and subsequently produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

The investigation centres on allegations surrounding the acquisition of six Airbus A330 and eight A350 aircraft by SriLankan Airlines in 2013, in connection with an alleged USD 2 million bribe.

Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, had previously been named in connection with the alleged bribery.

Chandrasena was arrested on March 12 as part of an investigation launched by the CIABOC under the Anti-Corruption Act and was subsequently released on bail. He was later found dead on May 8 while on bail, with police suspecting that his death was a suicide.

Open warrants have been issued for the arrest of Wijenayake, who is named as the second suspect, and Shamindra Rajapaksa, named as the third suspect, in the case pending before the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Airbus transaction.

The investigation has also received assistance from Airbus, with a delegation from the company’s parent group in France visiting Sri Lanka during the first week of August. The delegation provided statements and other assistance to the CIABOC as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Rajapaksa’s arrest and remand yesterday mark a further development in the widening investigation into the controversial aircraft deal.