More signatures calling for the repeal of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) were collected in Anuradhapura and Puttalam today after a mass campaign was launched last week.
The campaign initiated by the Ilankai Thamilarasu Katchi Youth Wing, Justice for All and the Alliance of Trade Union & MassYouth Front organisations, demands the Sri Lankan government to repeal the notorious legislation which has been used disproportionately to detain and torture Tamils and Muslims.
The campaign was launched in Jaffna and will travel across the island before ending in Hambantota on October 5th.
The PTA has been under international scrutiny for years but successive Sri Lankan government have failed to repeal the legislation. Last week at the United Nations Human Rights Council, one of the key concerns raised by Western governments was Sri Lanka's use of the PTA despite claiming a moratorium had been in effect on the act since March.
“Recent violent attacks against those protesting peacefully is demonstrative of a persistent culture of impunity, as well as intimidation and surveillance of civil society and journalists” the Canadian ambassador stated.
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