Cabinet green light to gazette draft Anti-Terror Act

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet granted approval to publish via gazette the draft bill to introduce the Anti-Terrorist Act repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and to submit the same to parliament. 

The Department of Government Information said that the resolution on the matter was submitted by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

Concurrence of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 05.09.2022 to publish the draft bill of the Anti – Terrorist Act prepared by the Legal Draftsman in order to introduce the Anti – Terrorist Act repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act in the government gazette and subsequently submit it to the Parliament and followed by that, the said draft bill has been published in the government gazette on 22.03.2023, said the Department of Government Information.

Thereafter, a number of parties having concern about that (local and international) have expressed their concern regarding certain sections of the draft bill, it added.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms called for views and proposals formally from those who are interested in this regard through electronic media, and the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms held discussions with certain parties himself, noted the Department of Government Information.

Whereas, considering all the views and proposals submitted, actions have been taken to prepare a new draft bill by the Legal Draftsman by revising the original draft bill which was published in the government gazette. The clearance of the Attorney General has been granted to the said new draft bill, said the Department of Government Information.