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Islandwide signature campaign underway to call on Government to repeal PTA 

15 Feb 2022

  • ‘Justice for All’ organisation to conduct programme in Colombo today 
An islandwide signature campaign has been launched by the “Justice for All” organisation appealing to the Government of Sri Lanka to honour its promise to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).  Convener of the organisation, Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran, in a letter stated that the islandwide signature campaign in Colombo will be conducted today (15), from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Fort Railway Station.  “The Government has given several assurances in the past that this legislation will be repealed and a law will be enacted in its place that complies with international human rights standards and norms. However, the recent Amendment Bill presented to Parliament falls short of such assurances and fails to address any of the draconian provisions in the PTA,” the letter noted.  The letter additionally states that the 1979 PTA act was brought about as a temporary provisions act for six months, yet continues to be in operation for over 40 years.  “During this period, we have witnessed its use to crush dissent against the government of the day, as it has been done consistently in the past and continues today,” the letter mentioned.  Earlier last week, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris tabled the the bill to amend the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 in Parliament, whilst MP Sumanthiran, upon presentation of the bill by Prof. Peiris, quoted the Justice Minister Ali Sabry as saying that the PTA would be totally repealed.


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