President says terrorism and organised crime Bills will not be passed without public consultation

Daily Mirror and Newswire report that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said his government would first seek views from the public and relevant stakeholders before moving forward with two proposed bills concerning terrorism and organised crime. WhatNews and Hiru News also report that he said the measures would not pass in Parliament without discussions with interested parties and broad agreement.

Newswire reports that Dissanayake made the announcement while speaking at the National Trade Union Conference on Saturday, the 7th, and said the decision had been taken during a discussion earlier that morning. Newsfirst reports that the National People’s Power Trade Union National Convention took place at P.D. Sirisena Grounds in Maligawatte, Colombo, with the president presiding.

Newswire reports that planned discussions will include civil society organisations that have expressed reservations about the proposals. It says trade unions, legal professionals and opposition political parties have also objected, citing possible effects on fundamental rights and civil liberties.

Newswire reports that demonstrators in Colombo on Friday, the 6th, called for the proposed laws to be withdrawn. It also reports that Dissanayake said his administration would not use legislation to stay in office and would respect voters’ choice if an election resulted in its removal. The reports say further consultation is expected before the government seeks parliamentary approval.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.