The Government announced in Parliament Friday that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be repealed next month.
Foreign Minister Wijitha Herath and Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told the House that the law is still in force and arrests have been made under its provisions. They said that a committee chaired by President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne has been appointed to look into the matter, and that the Chief Justice has expedited proceedings so that the process will be concluded today.
Accordingly, the new draft law is to be submitted to Cabinet in September. Minister Wijepala told Parliament that the government would introduce fresh legislation in line with international law, ensuring the protection of the rights of the people.
Expressing his views, Minister Wijitha Herath said: “We are repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act. That is the policy of our government. By early September, we will move to gazette the Bill to repeal the PTA.”
