COLOMBO – The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe to have an expert committee review a proposed anti-terrorism bill that has drawn criticism over its definition of terrorism among other concerns.

SLPP general secretary and MP Sagara Kariyawasam told reporters on Tuesday (11) that the party will under no circumstances support any bill that can restrict people’s freedom of expression and their ability to democratically win their rights.

“We are firmly of the opinion that there should be some limitations when defining terrorism in this bill. If the act allows for any action to be interpreted as an act of terrorism, it would not be suitable for a democratic society,” Kariyawasam said, claiming that not even Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe appeared to have confidence in the bill.

“As a party we ask the president to review the bill, appoint an expert committee on it and work to bring a bill that isn’t undemocratic,” said Kariyawasam, adding that a government introducing new legislation should have confidence in what they’re proposing.

The SLPP’s request to the president comes against a backdrop of the party allegedly being divided on its continued support for President Wickremesinghe, at least according to opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara.

Bandara told reporters on Monday (10) that a section of the SLPP has already decided to back Wickremesinghe at a future presidential election while another faction is still loyal to the Rajapaksa family that controls the party.

Bandara’s remark comes amidst intense speculation of an imminent split in his own party, the SJB, which according to some media reports is on the verge of seeing some defections to the government.

Human Rights Watch recently criticized the proposed act, calling for its withdrawal. The act, if passed, would empower the authorities to systematically violate fundamental human rights, the international human rights watchdog said.

The new law has also drawn criticism from various other quarters including opposition parties and civil society. Human rights activists both local and international have repeatedly called for the repeal of the island nation’s existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which critics have called draconian. Successive governments have been accused of using the PTA to stifle dissent, and some activists have expressed fear that the new bill would be no different, though the new bill’s backers contend that it is an improvement.

The new act is intended to replace the PTA.

-economynext.com