• Public consultations to follow

The review committee for the proposed Anti-Terror Bill is on track to complete its work in the next two weeks, paving the way for the bill to be released for public consultations. 

This timeline was confirmed by Committee Chairman Rienzie Arsecularatne, PC, who stated that the team was currently reviewing the final two chapters of the legislation.

“We are down to the last two chapters, so we plan to invest the next two weeks into completing the necessary work,” Arsecularatne said. 

“We will be making any necessary additions, and thereafter we will also be making the bill available for public consultations.”

The new bill is intended to replace the country’s longstanding Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a controversial piece of legislation that has faced widespread criticism from human rights organisations for its broad provisions that have been used to arbitrarily detain and prosecute critics, journalists, and members of minority communities. The new legislation incorporates amendments based on recommendations from the Supreme Court.

Arsecularatne noted that there had been considerable interest from various stakeholders, including the European Union and the British High Commission, as well as civil society and religious organisations. 

However, the period for public input will be brief. “The public consultations cannot be extended for a long period of time because there is urgency in enacting the bill,” he said.

The committee’s goal is to finalise the entire process by September, a deadline that aligns with previous statements from the Foreign and Justice Ministers.