The government has gazetted a new bill titled the Protection of the State from Terrorism, proposing legislation to strengthen the legal framework for addressing terrorism and related offences in Sri Lanka.
The proposed legislation seeks to provide for the protection of Sri Lanka’s national security and its people from acts of terrorism and other offences associated with terrorism, including specified acts committed both within and outside the country.
The bill also contains provisions aimed at preventing the use of Sri Lankan territory or its people in preparations for acts of terrorism outside Sri Lanka.
It sets out procedures for the detection, identification, apprehension, arrest and detention of persons suspected of committing acts of terrorism or related offences, as well as provisions governing their investigation, prosecution and punishment.
A key provision of the bill is the proposed repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979, commonly known as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The bill was ordered to be published by the Minister of Justice and National Integration and has now been gazetted for consideration as proposed legislation.
