Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says that it is a very dangerous bill as even political parties can be banned through the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act.
At a news conference held today at the Colombo Archbishop’s Palace, he emphasized that all those who have feelings for the country should unite to defeat the draft.
His Eminence Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, further elaborated and said,
“The Anti-Terrorism Act 2023 was gazetted on March 17. The power to interpret it is largely given to those in control. There is a section of this Act called Miscellaneous Orders. It has completely given the power of the law to the hands of the President. He has been given the power to ban any organization. Then a political party can be banned. That party can be banned by pretending that it is doing terrorist work. We can imagine that this bill is brought to control protests. This Act defines 3.2.F, Endangering public health services, 3.2.H, 3.2.H, 3.2.L, Interruption of public safety and illegal assembly as acts of terrorism. You can’t hold meetings, strike, such actions are terrorism. Similarly, for the first time, this Act indicates that the death penalty can be given for such charges. We ask. At this time, all those who are worried about the country should come together and defeat the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act.”
