AFP reported Sri Lanka’s proposed security laws faced a Supreme Court challenge and street protest Wednesday, as critics warned the measures could expand detention and surveillance powers before a parliamentary debate and vote.
The Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill would replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1979. A second proposal, the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, would strengthen laws against organized crime, particularly drug-related offenses, AFP reported.
Ahead of parliamentary consideration, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), an independent think tank, is challenging both bills in the Supreme Court. CPA wants the measures withdrawn, saying they preserve features of laws it considers oppressive and could weaken constitutional protections.
The think tank says Sri Lanka needs to address genuine security threats and organized crime, but argues the bills would give the executive extensive powers. It also says there was not enough public consultation and warns the broad provisions could be used against protesters, marginalized communities and dissenters.
The United Nations human rights office warned that vague language on terrorism and related offenses could restrict civic activity, media freedoms and peaceful dissent.
AFP reported critics cited a rule allowing an executive order to keep a person in police custody for as long as a year, and another allowing detention for up to 72 hours without producing the person before a magistrate. They also raised concerns about expanded surveillance.
AFP reported that hundreds of activists from the leftist Frontline Socialist Party and allied groups marched toward Parliament in Colombo on Wednesday to oppose the bills. Police remained at the Parliament gates as demonstrators left without incident.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s party holds a two-thirds majority in Parliament, AFP reported. The bills are due to proceed to debate and a vote, though the report gave no date for those proceedings.
