Govt. prepares to rehabilitate individuals exposed to extremist ideologies

Persons in custody who have been exposed to extremist ideologies will be placed in a rehabilitation program at a centre in Punthottam, Vavuniya, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Maj. Gen. Dharshana Hettiarachchi said yesterday. 

The move comes in the wake of a gazette notification issued last week regulating the rehabilitation of those in custody who have been deemed to hold extremist views. 

The gazette, issued as a temporary provision for the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1979, applies to those arrested or who have surrendered to law enforcement agencies in relation to extremist views or activities aimed at causing violence, or religious, racial or communal disharmony.

Two hundred and sixty-eight persons are currently being held in remand custody under detention orders following the investigation into the Easter Sunday bombings of 2019, Minister of Public Security, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Sarath Weerasekara said in parliament recently.  

“Since the gazette had been issued, we are ready to commence the process once the persons are selected and sent to the centre,” Maj. Gen Hettiarachchi told the Daily FT, adding that the program will start soon. 

According to Hettiarachchi, the program has been prepared with broad consultation with stakeholders, including subject matter experts, and community and religious leaders. 

“Those who are sent for rehabilitation will be selected by the judiciary following consultation with law enforcement agencies,” he added. (AF)