The new Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) drafted by the Government has received approval from the Cabinet of Ministers and is expected to be gazetted in the coming weeks, The Sunday Morning reliably learns.

The CTA is expected to replace the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) of 1978  which has, over the last three decades, come under strong domestic and international criticism over being abused by law enforcement agencies for the arbitrary detention of suspects.

When contacted, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry confirmed that the legislation had been approved by the Cabinet.

Over the last few years, Sri Lanka has given an undertaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the European Union (EU) that it will replace the PTA, which many have called a draconian piece of legislation.

The EU last year highlighted the repeal or replacement of the PTA as a condition to extend the GSP+ trade concessions which help Sri Lankan exports to the regional collective be more competitive. The EU is a key export market for Sri Lanka.

The CTA had been drafted between 2016 and 2019, but the work had not been continued following the Easter Sunday attacks of April 2019.

Last year, Minister of Justice Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, speaking to The Sunday Morning, said: “We are reconsidering and studying the Counter Terrorism Act. We are also considering whether to replace the PTA with it. I think the deterrence in the PTA law is rather grave. I think if we bring in the new act, some provisions will be relaxed.”

Responding to a question, Ministry of Justice Additional Secretary (Administrative) Rohan Hapugaswatte confirmed that the ministry had received the approval from the Cabinet regarding the CTA but would not comment on when it would be gazetted. 

However, sources close to the matter told The Sunday Morning that the new legislation would be gazetted before the end of the month.

Attempts to contact Minister of Justice Rajapakshe on the matter failed.