The Supreme Court has delivered its decision on the contentious Anti-Terrorism Bill to Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. The court ruled that certain clauses require a special majority for passage, while others mandate both a special majority and a referendum unless recommended amendments are made.
After a six-day hearing ending on February 2nd, the court addressed thirty-one petitions challenging the proposed legislation, which aims to replace the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Among the petitioners are His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, General Secretary of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Ranjith Madduma Bandara, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Vijitha Herath, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Socialist Youth Union (SYU), Duminda Nagamuwa of Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), and the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU).
The Attorney General is listed as the respondent in these petitions, which seek a Supreme Court order requiring a parliamentary vote with a two-thirds majority and a referendum to pass the Bill, tabled in parliament on January 10.
Critics argue that the current form of the Bill would grant excessive powers to the Tri-Forces, Police, and Coast Guard, allowing unwarranted arrests without reasonable suspicion, thereby violating fundamental rights, including freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.
