News
NPP to enact new anti-terror law with UN backing
… definition of ‘terrorism’ to be borrowed from Tanzania
The government is going ahead with moves to introduce a new anti-terrorism law in consultations with the United Nations amidsts protests from various interested parties, both in and outside Parliament, .
The Justice and National Integration Ministry said that UN representatives, via zoom, had joined a recent discussion, chaired by Rienzie Arsecularatne, PC, who is leading the Committee tasked with preparing a new anti-terrorism draft law.
The NPP, in the run-up to national elections last year, pledged to do away with the PTA, though recently Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara clarified that the country couldn’t do without an anti-terrorism law.
Among those present at the discussion at the Justice and National Integration Ministry were members of the Committee Senior Deputy Solicitor General at Attorney General’s Department Nerin Pulle, Saliya Peiris, PC (former President of the Bar Association), Attorney-at-Law Upul Kumarapperuma and Additional Secretary to the Justice and National Integration Ministry Piyumanthi Peiris and Colombo-based UN officials.
They have decided to examine whether the definition of terrorism in Tanzania’s Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002 could be adopted by Sri Lanka.
They also paid attention to the recommendations made by the Supreme Court in respect of the proposed anti-terrorism law.
The Justice Ministry revealed that UN representatives inquired whether the proposed law would contain provision to rehabilitate those who had been involved in terrorism. Commenting on this, senior military sources said that Sri Lanka had rehabilitated over 12,000 LTTE cadres at the conclusion of military operations in 2009. The discussion also covered ways and means to address the issue of failing to provide information regarding terrorist activities.
Sri Lanka introduced the PTA in 1979, as a temporary measure, but four years later it was made a permanent law to meet threats posed by terrorist groups.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
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Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
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