It is reported that the committee report containing recommendations for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was handed over to Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara yesterday.
A committee headed by President’s Counsel Rienzi Arsakularatne was appointed to make recommendations on the repeal of the Act and the committee has handed over the report containing these recommendations to the Minister in charge of the subject.
The Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 was first introduced. From the outset, the operation of the Act was strongly opposed by both the local and international community. Accordingly, the Sri Lankan government was pressured by several international organizations including the United Nations Human Rights Commission and the European Union to immediately amend the Act.
Accordingly, a new bill was drafted to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and to suppress terrorism, but the bill was challenged in the Supreme Court. The draftsman identified the amendments that needed to be made to the bill and prepared an amended bill incorporating those amendments.
Thereafter, a committee headed by President’s Counsel Riyansi Arsakularatne was appointed to further study the final draft and submit suitable proposals to further improve the bill.