Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has rejected claims that Sri Lanka’s proposed Organized Crime Prevention Bill would allow people to be arrested simply for having tattoos, long hair or particular styles of clothing.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday (20), the minister said misleading interpretations of the proposed legislation were circulating on social media, causing unnecessary fear among the public.
The bill was presented to Parliament for its first reading as the government seeks to introduce new legal provisions to investigate, prosecute and prevent crimes committed by organized criminal groups.
Nanayakkara said some social media users were falsely claiming that people could be imprisoned for having tattoos or adopting certain hairstyles.
“Wearing clothes of your choice, getting a tattoo or having a hairstyle you prefer are fundamental rights,” he said.
Explaining Section 4(2) of the proposed legislation, the minister said it identifies 12 factors that may be considered when determining whether a person belongs to an organized criminal group.
