The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) will challenge the new Anti-Terrorism Bill at the Supreme Court if any fundamental rights concerns are found. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, newly-elected President of the BASL, Attorney-at-Law Kaushalya Nawaratne said: “We will definitely be challenging the bill if we find any issues.”

He said the BASL had appointed a committee consisting of senior members to study the proposed legislation. 

“The committee will review the bill and submit its report within a week. Based on the findings of the report, we will decide on any legal measures,” Nawaratne said.

The new bill titled the Anti-Terrorism Bill was gazetted on 23 March. It is expected to replace the current Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1979.

However, civil society and legal experts have been highly critical of the bill from the time it was gazetted.