The Cabinet has approved the new Anti-Terrorism Act (CTA) drafted by the government and it is reported that the government hopes to gazette it in the next few weeks.
Arbitrary detention of suspects through the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) of 1978 has come under intense domestic and international criticism over the past three decades.
When contacted, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabri confirmed that the bill has been approved by the cabinet.
Over the past few years, Sri Lanka has pledged to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the European Union (EU) to amend the Act.
The bill was drafted between 2016 and 2019, but work was not continued following the April 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
Last year, Justice Minister Dr Vijayadasa Rajapaksa commented: “We are revisiting the Prevention of Terrorism Act. We are also considering whether to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act. I think the obstacle in the PTA is quite serious. I think if we bring the new bill, some provisions will be relaxed.” Namely.
Responding to a question, Ministry of Justice Additional Secretary (Administration) Rohan Hapugaswatta confirmed that the Ministry has received Cabinet approval for the Prevention of Terrorism Act but would not comment on when it would be gazetted.
However, sources close to the matter said that the new constitution would be gazetted before the end of the month.
Attempts to contact Justice Minister Rajapaksa in this regard failed.