Cabinet approval to publish PTA amendments

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved publishing the amendments to the Prevention and Terrorism Act (PTA) via a gazette and presenting the same to the Parliament.

Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the amendments to the PTA Act have been approved by the Attorney General. 

Previously, the Cabinet approved introducing amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (No. 48 of 1979) and the Legal Draftsman's Department was instructed to draft amendments. 

Pressure has been mounting on the Government to repeal the Act both by activists here and international human rights organisations with uproar against arresting protestors under the PTA. 

The Government was faced with severe international criticism to repeal the draconian and controversial PTA to bring in new laws to uphold human rights and international laws.