PTA Amendment Bill passed

• Bill passed with 86 voting for and 35 against
• Only 121 of 225 MPs present when vote taken
• Govt. says amendments prelude to introduction of comprehensive national security law
• Opp. terms amendments as ‘cosmetic’

The Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament yesterday with 86 voting for and 35 against it.

The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the National People’s Party (NPP) voted against the Bill.

Only 121 of the 225 MPs were present in the House when the vote on the Bill was taken. 

Foreign Affairs Minister G.L. Pieris who moved the Bill said the Government engaged in a comprehensive review of security legislation in the country and the amendments to the PTA are within framework of the new legislation that is under discussion.

“This law has to be changed and this is an initial endeavour as we work on a new comprehensive national security law for the country,” he said.

However, Opposition lawmakers termed the amendments as ‘cosmetic’ and said it was meant to hoodwink the international community and not out of concerns for the human rights of Sri Lankans.