Govt. to introduce new laws to protect basic human rights: Bandula

Cabinet Co-Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena 

Cabinet Co-Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena yesterday hinted that the Government is likely to introduce new legislation aimed at protecting the basic rights of the people, following the revoke of the controversial re-establishment of ‘high-security zones’.

“We discussed whether new laws should be brought in to protect the basic human rights during the Cabinet meeting and the President in principle agreed to it,” he said in response to a query posed at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

On 16 September, the Government declared several high-security zones in the capital Colombo but following harsh criticism the decision was revoked on 1 October. The related Gazette notification was issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the Defence Minister. 

“The Government has the responsibility to uphold the fundamental rights of all citizens, including all stakeholders of the Constitution, the Executive, and the Judiciary. However, if groups are conducting illegal demonstrations that obstruct everyday life and create a sense of chaos in the country, then the Government will apply force,” he added.

Justifying the move to reintroduce high-security zones, the Cabinet Spokesman said to boost tourism and investments, Sri Lanka should maintain non-violence. 

“This may have been the reason for the re-establishment of high-security zones,” he added.