Sri Lanka: New Law Against Terrorism — leaked draft

( April 3, 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The government of Sri Lanka is working hard not only to repeal the much controversial law, Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) but also to introduce the Counter Terrorism Act.

Preamble of a draft copy of the act obtained by Sri Lanka Guardian reads as follows,

“An act to make provision for (a) the protection of Sri Lanka’s national security and the security of its’ people from acts of terrorism and related attacks, (b) the protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka from acts of terrorism and related acts, and (c) the prevision of terrorism and related attacks on national security and the security of the public, (d) the protection of the other countries and areas from the scourge of terrorism, (e) the prevention of the use of Sri Lankan territory and its’ people for the perpetration of terrorism and related offences, (g) the identification, apprehension, arrest , custody, detention, investigation and prosecution and punishment of persons who have committed acts of terrorism and other offences which would affect national security and the security of the people of Sri Lanka, and (h) matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”

A draft of the act reproduced below;

terrorism_act_2017_srilanka_slg.pdf by Thavam Ratna on Scribd