News
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).
Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) MURASAME arrived at the Port of Colombo on a replenishment visit this morning (22 Mar 25).
The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
JMSDF MURASAME is a 151m long Destroyer commanded by Commander HAYAKAWA Masahiro. Meanwhile, she is manned by a crew of 200.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 25 Mar 25.
It has been reported that two persons riding a motorcycle were killed in a shooting incident that took place around 11.45pm on Friday [21] night , in front of the southern entrance of the Devundara Sri Vishnu Devalaya, on Sinhasana Road.
The unidentified gunmen, who arrived in a van, opened fire using a T-56 assault rifle and 9 mm firearms before fleeing the scene. The police have recovered 39 T-56 bullet casings, two T-56 rounds of live ammunition, a T-56 magazine, three 9 mm bullet casings, and one 9mm live ammunition.
The van suspected to have been used by the shooters was found abandoned and set on fire on a side road about 800 meters from the crime scene.
The two deceased victims have been identified as Tikira Hennedige Yomesh Nadishan and Marakkala Manage Pasidu Tharuka, both residents of Sinhasana Road, Devinuwara.
Matale Dirstrict SJB MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna yesterday tabled a list in Parliament naming 1,300 members, leaders, trade unionists, and activists of the UNP, who were allegedly assassinated by the JVP. The list was submitted during a parliamentary session as part of the government’s ongoing effort to document victims of political violence.
Along with the names of the victims, MP Wijerathna also introduced over 900 family members of the alleged victims, providing further context to the extent of the violence.
Speaking during the session, MP Wijerathna stated, “Child soldiers were recruited by the JVP even before the LTTE. ‘Kantale Bonikki,’ a 13-year-old child was used to murder a 70-year-old female UNP supporter.” She accused the JVP of using children to kill numerous UNP members during the JVP’s second insurgency.
The MP said that names not included in the current list would be submitted during the upcoming “Batalanda Debate” in April.
MP Wijerathna invited the public, via her Facebook page to submit further details on family members affected by political violence to ensure their inclusion in the extended record.
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