Govt. withdraws Counter Terrorism Bill

The Cabinet of Ministers yesterday decided to withdraw the Counter Terrorism Bill introduced by the previous rule to be enacted in place of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Daily Mirror learns.

The former government worked out this bill which is modelled on the counter terrorism legislation in the United Kingdom. The then government did it in keeping with its commitment to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in terms of the resolution 30/1.

That government committed to repeal the PTA. Former Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana presented this bill to Parliament on October 9, 2018.

However, new Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardane presented a Cabinet paper yesterday seeking approval to withdraw it. The Cabinet endorsed it.

The new government has also started reviewing the UNHRC resolution 30/1. Sri Lanka’s case will be taken for consideration during the UNHRC session scheduled for March, this year. (Kelum Bandara)