The Sri Lankan government is attempting to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act in time for the start of the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, the Sunday Times reports.
The final draft was given to the cabinet for approval last Wednesday by the Foreign Minister, Tilak Marapana, and gave rise to objections from the housing minister Sajith Premadasa.
The foreign minister reportedly said that it would be imprudent to stop the new counter terror legislation passing into law so close to the upcoming human rights council session.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have said that the draft would have to be presented to Parliament and passed as delaying it would affect the restoration of the European Union’s GSP plus trade concession.