A public opinion poll will be conducted on the proposed new Anti-Terrorism Act, and the public can submit their views and comments until February 28, Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara said.
The Minister noted that one of the key pledges made by the new government upon assuming office was to repeal the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act and introduce a new Anti-Terrorism Act that safeguards human rights and protects freedom of expression.
Accordingly, a committee of 17 legal scholars led by President’s Counsel Rienzi Arsakularatne has drafted a new Anti-Terrorism Act after removing provisions of the existing law. The draft legislation has now been prepared and released in all three languages.
Minister Nanayakkara said the three drafts have been uploaded to the official website of the Ministry of Justice, and a period has been allocated for public feedback before the bill is submitted to the Cabinet or Parliament.
He emphasized that the document currently published is not a finalized bill but a draft intended solely to gather public opinion. Individuals, civil society organizations, and trade union representatives have already submitted suggestions, which will be considered positively.
After February 28, the committee headed by President’s Counsel Rienzi Arsakularatne will review the submissions and take steps to revise the draft accordingly, the Minister said.
The Minister of Justice urged the public to study the draft carefully and make use of this opportunity to submit constructive views, proposals, and criticisms to the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice.
