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Press Institute expresses concern over proposed Anti-Terrorism Act

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The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), its constituents and affiliated organisations, in a statement yesterday expressed its deep concern over the proposed ‘Anti–Terrorism Act’ (ATA) published on 22 March (gazette notification dated 17 March), drafted to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA).

The SLPI said it is of the opinion that the presented bill has several controversial elements that are not conducive for the media community. The proposed bill consists of an overbroad and vague definition of ‘acts of terrorism’ that can be interpreted in a manner which curtails the freedom of expression. The broad powers vested within the proposed bill enables the criminalisation of speech that is likely to be understood as an encouragement or inducement to commit or prepare for terrorism, with the burden of proof on the defendant to show that was not their intention. These offences also apply to those who publish, distribute, sell, or transmit publications that could be interpreted as materials supporting acts of terrorism.

According to the Bill, confidential information could be any information having an ‘adverse impact’ on ‘national security/defence’ which includes ‘any information not in the public domain’. Therefore, the broad and vague classification of ‘confidential information’ could place media personnel in a precarious position in the due course of executing their duties, as many offences which fall under the criminal law could now be reframed as ‘terrorist offences’.

It is evident that the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights of citizens, in terms of freedom of speech and expression, freedom of assembly and association, and freedom to dissent are threatened through the proposed ATA. While the SLPI understands the need to amend the PTA, it also endorses caution in making amendments that could undermine democracy and good governance.



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Hundreds fired at aviation safety agency, union says

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The Trump administration has begun firing hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, according to the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union, weeks after a fatal mid-air plane collision in Washington DC.

Several hundreds of the agency’s probationary workers – who have generally been in their positions for less than a year – received the news via email late on Friday night, a statement from PASS’s head, Alex Spero said.

It is a part of a cost-cutting drive, driven by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge)., that aims to drastically cut the federal workforce.

Spero called the firings “shameful” and said they “will increase the workload and place new responsibilities on a workforce that is already stretched thin”.

 

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The term of Acting President of the Court of Appeal Justice Mohammed Thahir Laffar extended

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The term of Acting President of the Court of Appeal Justice Mohammed Thahir Laffar has been extended.

Accordingly, Justice Mohammed Thahir Laffar took his oath before President Anura Kumara Disanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (17). Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present on this occasion.

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Colombo High Court serves indictments against SLPP Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa

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The Colombo High Court has served indictments against Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa.over alleged misappropriation of Rs. 70 million provided by Krrish Company for development of rugby in Sri Lanka.

 

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