- Tells Wijeyadasa about concerns of certain provisions that pale with int’l norms
United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung has called for ‘extensive’ public and Parliamentary discussions on the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill, which is to be introduced to repeal the controversial Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA).
Taking to Twitter, Chung stated that during a meeting with Minister of Justice, President’s Counsel Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday (20), she had discussed her concerns with regard to certain aspects of the proposed Bill which fall outside of international standards.
She said that she had shared their ‘strong desire’ to see extensive discussions, both public and Parliamentary, on the matter.
She further highlighted that it is important that: “all voices including the civil society, the academia, and lawmakers, are considered in order to ensure that the Legislation serves as an effective tool for combatting terrorism without restricting the freedom of expression or assembly.”