Protesters gathered outside the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Tuesday to demand the withdrawal of the government’s proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA).
They also called for the abolition of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill in Parliament on 6 October. It seeks to repeal and replace the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979.
The Bill sets out a new legal framework for terrorism and related offences. It covers the identification, arrest, detention, investigation, prosecution and punishment of people accused of such offences.
It also aims to protect national security and the public from terrorist acts committed in or outside Sri Lanka, and to stop Sri Lankan territory being used to prepare terrorist activities abroad.
The Bill now awaits further consideration in Parliament.
