• Says to challenge Bill in SC or submit amendments instead of holding media briefings  

The Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, President’s Counsel Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday (12) said that any party who criticises the Anti-Terrorism Bill can file a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) or submit their amendments.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said this in response to a statement made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary and Parliamentarian, Attorney Sagara Kariyawasam, that the SLPP will not agree with some sections in the proposed Bill.

“I did not draft this Bill alone. It was made with the help of the Ministry of Defence, the Legal Draftsman’s Department, the Department of Police and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, together. We welcome criticisms. If someone does not agree with this Bill, they can go to the SC and question the legitimacy of this Bill in Court instead of criticising this in media briefings,” he said.

He added that these SLPP members did not support even the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. “The 21st Amendment to the Constitution was the most progressive Constitutional Amendment in history. This group of MPs did not even support in getting it done. So, it is a joke for such a group to talk about democracy. Also, I am a MP who was elected by popular vote. Therefore, I will not do something that will harm the people,” he said.

Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo on Tuesday (11), Kariyawasam said that the Party will under no circumstances support any Bill that can restrict the people’s freedom of expression and their ability to democratically win their rights.

The proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill was Gazetted last month (March) and was to be tabled in the Parliament this month (April). However, the Government has decided to postpone the tabling of the newly proposed Bill in the Parliament amidst the opposition and requests by various parties to delay its presentation.