A protest was held in Colombo on Tuesday (13) against the government’s proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA). 

Protesters gathered outside the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. 

They demanded the abolition of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the withdrawal of the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA). 

Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill, which seeks to repeal and replace the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979, in Parliament on October 06.

The proposed anti-terrorism legislation introduces a new legal framework covering terrorism and related offences, including provisions governing the identification, arrest, detention, investigation, prosecution and punishment of individuals accused of such offences.

The Bill also seeks to protect Sri Lanka’s national security and the public from terrorist acts committed within or outside the country and prevent Sri Lankan territory from being used to prepare terrorist activities overseas. (Newswire/ Images – Law & Society Trust)

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