Counter-terror legislation should not restrict freedom of expression: G.L. tells UNHRC

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is convinced that counter-terrorism legislation must secure and protect the rights of persons subject to investigation detention and trial, and must not restrict democratic freedoms such as the freedom of expression, the Minister of Foreign affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris states, addressing the High Level Segment at the 49th session of the United nations Human Rights Council. 

Accordingly, an effort was taken as an initial step in amending the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 43 years after it was promulgated, the Foreign Minister added. 

Speaking further, he said that the evidence gathering mechanism which was proposed in Resolution 46/1 without the consent of Sri Lanka only managed to obstacles to reconciliation efforts, breed hatred by reopening past wounds, and to polarize society.