The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security drew its attention to the concerns regarding the Anti-Terrorism Bill to which the Committee Chair made his observations.
That was taken up for consideration at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security which met in Parliament recently (22) under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekara, M.P.
The Chair making his observations stated that the term Terrorism has not been defined in the bill. Hon. Chair has further stated that without properly define the term Terrorism all the offences coming under the terrorist activities can not be specified as terrorist offences. The representatives of the Attorney Generals Department stated that the term Terrorism has not been properly defined even internationally.
Officials who were present at the Committee meeting explained that reading the article 3(1) and 3(2) read with the preamble of the bill can get the definition of terrorism. However, amendments in keeping with the Supreme Court determination have been made accordingly.
Furthermore, the Hon. (Dr). Weerasekara, the Chair stated that many offences in the Bill overlaps with criminal offences. Thus, the Committee inquired as to why it has been replicated in a new bill while law pertaining to such criminal offences already exist.
Additional Solicitor General who participated at the said meeting stated that they are now unable to do amendments to the core of the Bill, even in the Committee Stage amendments it is not possible to incorporate a definition for terrorism.
The Committee decided to reconsider the Bill in another two weeks time having looked in to the Bill more intensely.
Committee Members Hon. Rauff Hakeem and Hon. Nimal Piyathissa were also present at the aforesaid meeting.
