The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the publication in the Gazette and presentation to Parliament of the proposed Prevention of Organized Crime Bill, which has received the Attorney General’s clearance, Minister Vijitha Herath said.
Addressing the post-Cabinet media briefing, Herath said many individuals linked to organized crime are currently being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a practice the government believes should change.
“The objective is to introduce a new legal framework, in line with international standards, to prevent organized crime in the country,” he said.
Responding to questions from journalists on whether the legislation was being introduced because of difficulties in taking legal action against organized crime figures and politicians who have fled to other countries, Herath said the new law would make the process more effective.
“This is intended to make the process easier and more efficient. At present, such individuals are being detained under the PTA, and we believe that must change. They are not terrorists; they are individuals involved in activities such as drug trafficking and organized crime,” he said.
Herath said the proposed legislation would directly address organized crime, noting that the scope and interpretation of the PTA are different.
The minister said the government is also working to enter into agreements with more countries to facilitate the repatriation of Sri Lankan criminal suspects who have fled overseas.
He added that safeguards would be in place to prevent the new law from being misused.
Asked whether the legislation would apply retrospectively, given that several ongoing investigations and arrests relate to older cases, Herath said there would be no need for the law to have retrospective effect. (Newswire)