By Ranil Wickremesinghe is now under fire for the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act, which would replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
It is no secret that PTA has led to widespread human rights abuses, Now it is argued that the new bill would also facilitate abuse by granting broad powers to detain people without evidence, criminalizing vaguely defined forms of speech, and arbitrarily banning gatherings and organizations without meaningful judicial oversight.
Trade unionists and activists point out that Wickremesinghe’s inability to secure a majority in previous elections has driven him to act in a cruel and unempathetic manner.
There are others who argue that Wickremesinghe’s proposed bill is intended to save the Rajapaksas from extinction, rather than to save the country.
The presentation of the Anti-Terrorism Bill to the Parliament will be delayed, Minister of Justice Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe announced.
The Justice Minister stated that the decision has been taken based on requests that were made by various groups, including opposition political parties.
He further stated that it is expected to present the Bill to Parliament by the end of April or the first week of May.
