Colombo (News1st) – Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga called the new Anti-terrorism bill "frightening" and called on all citizens to unite to defeat the bill. 

Speaking at an event in Colombo on Thursday (29) she said, "Let's set aside our political allegiances and recognise that we are all social activists in this place. We must unite to defeat this."

"This is a frightening bill and all the citizens of this country need to be alerted about this," the former head of state explained.

"At this rate, we will not be able to speak freely like we're doing here today. Democracy will have no place and they will arrest us all", she added.

Speaking at the event, which also saw the participation of MP Prof. G.L. Peiris, Mrs. Kumaratunga stated that the Aragalaya taught Sri Lanka a valuable lesson: "If the people unite and strongly demand a change, change can be achieved."

"So whether it be through an Aragalaya or Revolution, we will have to do something", she concluded.

• NBRO issues landslide warnings to three districts
• SL vs AFG: Hosts win 2nd ODI by 132 runs
• Sri Lanka score 323/6 in 2nd ODI vs Afghanistan in Hambantota
• Four-day battle between Al-Qaeda group and African Union peacekeepers kills 54 Ugandan soldiers in Somalia
• Litro Gas to reduce gas prices