National Security Act to replace PTA

23 Aug, 2022

A new National Security Act is to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said today.

He said that Cabinet was informed about the new Act which is currently being drafted.

The Minister said that the National Security Act is being prepared by Justice Minister Wijeydasa Rajapksha.

Gunawardena said that Cabinet had also discussed the recent arrests of protesters using the PTA.

Sri Lanka has come under strong criticism by the international community for using the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The United States, the EU and Canada are among the countries that have raised concerns over the use of the PTA on protesters in Sri Lanka.

The Ministry of Defence had today approved a 90-day Detention Order (DO) under the PTA on the Convenor of the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige.

Mudalige was arrested following a protest staged in Colombo last week.?(Colombo Gazette)

Recommended For You

No move to close wine stores despite Covid situation

By Indika Sri Aravinda A decision has not been taken to close wine stores in the country despite the latest situation with the coronavirus pandemic. Deputy Excise Commissioner Kapila Kumarasinghe told Colombo Gazette wine stores are being operated under strict health and security regulations. Pointing out that some groups are making requests via media to close wine stores during the festive season, he said there is a possibility for an increase in the illicit liquor trade as was seen during t

23 Dec, 2020

Decision on disposal of remains of four Mahara Prison inmates next week

The Wattala Magistrate’s Court will decide on 30 December if to bury or cremate the remains of four Mahara Prison inmates who were killed in the recent unrest. The post mortem reports of another four Mahara Prison inmates who were killed in the recent unrest were submitted to the Wattala Magistrate’s Court today. Earlier this month, the Wattala Magistrate?s Court rejected an appeal to bury the bodies of four inmates who were killed in the?Mahara Prison riot, and instead ordered the bodies to b

23 Dec, 2020

Multiple flights arrive in Sri Lanka as repatriation process continues

Over 200 people arrived in Sri Lanka today in a number of flights as the process to repatriate Sri Lankans stranded overseas continued. The National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPC) said 14 passengers each arrived from the Maldives and India, 44 from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and five from Indonesia. Two flights carrying 20 and four passengers respectively arrived from Qatar this morning. Among the 144 passengers due during the course of the day, 38 are from Indi

23 Dec, 2020

Colombo Gazette is a leading news and entertainment website, covering stories related to Sri Lanka. The content consists of text based news, photos and videos and is linked to social media websites including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, to provide a wider coverage for its stories.