Sri Lanka delays controversial Anti-Terror Bill

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has delayed the tabling of the Anti-Terrorism Bill in Parliament.

Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told News 1st that the presentation of the bill, that was widely condemned across all social sectors in the country, was delayed subject to the requests made by the opposition and lawyers.

The Sri Lankan Government published the Anti-Terrorism Bill via gazette to replace the Draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, that was condemned at international level for its gross abuse of human rights in the island nation.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka noted that the bill has been published in the Gazette without adequate  consultations with the relevant stakeholders, including the BASL. 

Hence, the BASL called upon the Government to consider deferring the Bill until there is a wider stakeholder consultation and the concerns of stakeholders including the BASL are taken into account.

Furthermore, the BASL said it takes cognizance that the bill requires serious attention, and as such, has appointed a committee of senior lawyers to review the legality and the
consequences of the bill, and report to the Management Committee of the BASL.

BASL said it would not hesitate to challenge any bill that would deem to undermine the Rule of Law and the Liberty of the Citizen in our country.