Former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has alleged that the incumbent government has no intention of repealing the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
He points out that if the government genuinely desired to do so, it could implement the new bill that he had previously introduced.
Speaking during the programme, he said that when the Anti-Terrorism Bill was presented to the Parliament, several members of the current government strongly opposed it, calling instead for the complete repeal of the PTA.
Recalling the parliamentary debate, Rajapakshe alleged that the current Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath had argued that there was no need for new anti-terrorism legislation in a country that was no longer at war and had demanded the abolition of the existing law.
Rajapakshe further criticized the government’s current use of the PTA, claiming that individuals were being subjected to mistreatment under its provisions.
Referring to information allegedly disclosed during investigations, he claimed that a former intelligence official had been detained under harsh conditions.
He emphasized that his opposition was not to the conduct of investigations themselves, but to alleged abuses committed under the law.
“There is no issue regarding the investigation. Even now, there is no issue in passing it. There is nothing left to amend in this. Committees are being appointed merely to retain this law for a longer period,” he charged.
