The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has urged the government to immediately withdraw both the Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Online Safety Bill, recently published in the Gazettes.
This decision was reached unanimously by the Bar Council following a meeting held on the 23rd of this month. The Council strongly implores the government not to proceed with these two bills, asserting that they significantly encroach upon the liberty and freedom of the people. Moreover, these bills pose a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law in the country.
The BASL contends that both bills have been introduced without due consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the BASL itself. Consequently, the BASL calls upon the government to engage in meaningful consultations with the concerned stakeholders, including the BASL. It is imperative that their concerns are taken into consideration before proceeding to Gazette such bills, given their profound impact on the community at large.
This statement has been issued by BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne and its Secretary Isuru Balapatabendi.
