Provisions of PTA to be revisited

4 March 2021 07:00 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) are to be revisited, the Government informed the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in a comprehensive response to a report by the OHCHR.

The response by Sri Lanka to the damning report has now been published by the UN Human Rights Council following objections raised by Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka had written to the UN Human Rights Council demanding that the full response be published online.

Accordingly, in the response published by the UN, the government noted that the Counter Terrorism Bill was not pursued with, and withdrawn, having had due regard to the views expressed by Parliamentarians including the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations of the Parliament, religious leaders, trade unions, student organizations, civil society groups and public organizations that such legislation was unwarranted at this point of time.

The government, however, said it is intent on revisiting the provisions of the PTA having due regard to the progress made in the area of development and reconciliation. In that process the government said it will draw in aid international best practices adopted by other jurisdictions and the recommendations that may be made by the COI appointed with regard to the Easter Sunday attacks.

“It may also be noted that the Attorney General is also reviewing cases pending before the High Courts with a view to ensure the

expeditious disposal of cases involving LTTE cadres in order to bring a meaningful end to the said cases,” the government said in its response.

Overall, Sri Lanka says the report by the OHCHR is based on incorrect and/or unsubstantiated and extraneous sources/material, and contravenes the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, as stipulated in the GA resolution 60/251 that created the UN Human Rights Council.

The Government rejected the High Commissioner’s proposal “to advance accountability options at the international level”, including, in particular, her proposal to take steps towards referring Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court.(EASWARAN RUTNAM)

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Comments - 9

Ranaweera Thursday, 04 March 2021 08:53 AM

So after this , terrorists can have a free run . Now you know who is protecting who.

FF Thursday, 04 March 2021 09:19 AM

WE THOUGHT GOVT REJECTED THE REPORT WHOLESALE.

Ramesh Thursday, 04 March 2021 09:46 AM

But we heard minister Sarath Weerasekara wants the PTA to be fully implemented. So is this a different PT A ?

SarangaDS Thursday, 04 March 2021 12:33 PM

What about Guantanamo Bay? Have we all forgotten what US did to terrorists there? And what about their rendition flights where people were taken to other countries to be tortured?

Jeeves Thursday, 04 March 2021 12:36 PM

Our national security must never be compromised for the sake of any organisation! The UN has proved itself of being biased, and prejudiced, and therefore unworthy of objectivity! So, are they credible?

Kanthaka Thursday, 04 March 2021 12:41 PM

Our lenient approach has enabled terrorism to thrive, and now we have TWO different types of terrorism. If we don't tighten our attempts to stop terrorism here, foreign countries may use it as an excuse to come here with their troops!

ChanakaJ Thursday, 04 March 2021 12:45 PM

We are a sovereign nation! Don't let the LTTE influenced UN interfere in our affairs!

Sashi Thursday, 04 March 2021 12:51 PM

We should follow UK's treatment of a Muslim British schoolgirl who went to ISIS Syria, and strip our terrorists of their citizenship, and leave them stateless!

Mokan Thursday, 04 March 2021 02:00 PM

Now we are going with begging bowl. That’s reality . We need them for our survival

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Provisions of PTA to be revisited

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