Following widespread criticism from over 80 civil society organisations and human rights experts of Sri Lanka’s proposed reforms to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, State Minister of Regional Cooperation, Tharaka Balasuriya claimed that the government would replace the measure with a new bill.
Speaking with the Sunday Morning, Balasuriya stated that no steps had been taken to introducing this bill as the government was focused on reforming the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
“We are looking at a new act as an option, but at the moment we want to amend the current Bill. Even with the amendments, we know that there are certain provisions which we need to change, so we are looking at bringing a new bill altogether” he told the Sunday Morning.
He further added this would “obviously take a bit of time and we need to have a wider dialogue with stakeholders. I think certainly there are areas which can still have further improvements”.
The minister’s plea for more time for this proposed bill comes in advance of the European Union’s review of Sri Lanka’s GSP+ agreement which is contingent on improvement in human rights in Sri Lanka and the country meeting international law standards.
Responding to the minister’s statement, Ambika Satkunathan, former Sri Lankan Human Rights Commissioner stated that the minister’s claims were tantamount to an admission of the shortcomings of the proposed reforms.
Minister acknowledges shortcomings in proposed amendments to #PTA. The Minister’s acknowledgement is evidence that the proposed changes are cosmetic, don’t adhere to international standards & most likely are being undertaken only due to #GSP plus requirements. https://t.co/Zvx6nnT9vc
— Ambika Satkunanathan (@ambikasat) February 13, 2022
This follows a widely decried smear against her by Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry in which they attacked her submission to the European Commission as “reminiscent of LTTE propaganda”.
Read more here.