Sajith briefs diplomats on concerns over proposed security laws

Newswire reports that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations in Colombo to discuss the government’s proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill and Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill. The Office of the Leader of the Opposition issued a statement about the meeting on October 25.

Newswire reports that former parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran and other current and former parliamentarians also raised concerns during the discussion. Premadasa said laws addressing terrorism and organised crime should include judicial oversight and protections against misuse of executive authority, according to Newswire.

Newswire reports that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, in a statement dated October 21, said the proposed organised-crime bill conflicted with constitutional rights and international human-rights obligations. The Commission warned it could be more restrictive than the 1979 Prevention of Terrorism Act and called for the proposal to be withdrawn and substantially revised.

Newswire reports that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka also called for withdrawal of the proposed organised-crime legislation. The supplied report ends before giving further details of its position.

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.