The government today presented the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Amendment Bill in Parliament to amend to amend the Prevention of Terrorisms (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979.
Foreign Minister Prof. GL Peiris presented the bill to amend the PTA in parliament this morning. The Bill will be debated in parliament on a future date.
Speaking after the Bill was presented by the Minister, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran questioned why an amendment bill was introduced when the Minister of Justice had stated that he would bring a separate bill.
In response, the Foreign Minister said the amendment bill was introduced in accordance with the Standing Orders and if anyone opposes the bill, they can challenge it in the Supreme Court.
“The government will wait for the court’s determination (if the bill is challenged)and there will be a full debate in the matter thereafter,” Minister Peiris said.
Following the presentation of the Bill, Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Rauff Hakeem questioned whether the government will consider the amendments and shortcomings that were highlighted during the recently concluded Sri Lanka-EU Joint Commission meeting.
The European Union, during the 24th meeting of the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission on February 08 in Brussels, noted that important elements are not included in the gazetted Bill and urged the government to amend the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to be fully compliant with the international norms.
Sri Lanka is under pressure from the European Union to reform the PTA, which allows detention up to 90 days without being charged with provisions for further extension of the time