Re-introduction of Criminal Procedure Code

9 September 2011 04:34 pm

The government today said the proposed amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code which was tabled in Parliament on Thursday but had to be differed following protest from the opposition will be re-introduced shortly after a consensus was reached through party leaders meeting.

Addressing the media at weekly cabinet news briefing, Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said the government was ready to accommodate suggestions and amendments to the proposed piece of legislation if any. “The government would re-introduce the amendments after a consensus was reached at a party leaders meeting.

Their modus operandi is to show that Sri Lanka is not a peaceful country and disturbances and public commotions are a common sight,” he added. Substantiating the government’s move to re-introduce amendments, Minister Yapa said though the government was able to crush terrorism on Sri Lanka’s soil, the remnants of terrorism still remain intact in the local and international arena looking for an opportunity to destabilise Sri Lanka. He said the ‘Grease Demon’ incidents in many parts of the country are a good example to the attempts to destabilise the country.

The amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code intend to fight these elements and take action against ex-LTTE cadres who are in detention with criminal activities of serious nature against them, he said. “Do not forget that the US after 9/11 took strict action against terrorism and introduced new legislation to tackle global terrorism which is entitled ‘War Against Terrorism’. India also has tightened its grip on terrorist activities and has brought new laws,” Minister Yapa said. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)