JVP voice concerns over counter terrorism bill

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Convening a press conference in Colombo JVP, Propaganda Secretary, MP Vijitha Herath highlighted several concerns that they had with the new Counter-Terrorism bill which was tabled in Parliament recently. The Counter-Terrorism bill is set to replace the Prevention of Terrorism act which was promised to be repealed by the current administration. However, Vijitha Herath believes that the new bill is far worse than the one it hopes to replace. According to the Parliamentarian, the new bill grants the President the power to declare any service an essential service, it also provides the power to recognise acts to disrupt these services as acts of terrorism. He added that the power held by the courts to abolish a rally or gathering has now been given over to the senior police superintendent or any officer above the rank of SSP. The MP also noted that the new counter-terrorism bill empowers the minister to abolish any gatherings of that movement for a period of one year. "The bill can also be used to abolish any media organisation. We demand the government to withdraw this bill to ensure that the freedom of the people of this nation and the right to express their opinions" added MP Vijitha Herath.