(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said the Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe informed the Cabinet that the government plans to introduce a new Act on National Security to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The Minister disclosed this at the press briefing held at the Government Information Department today (23) to announce cabinet decisions taken at yesterday’s cabinet meeting.
“According to the constitution of our country, people have full freedom to organize trade unions, picketing, and protest peacefully. However, in view of the recent violent situation, 72 people’s representatives have been deprived of their homes by targeting them in an organized manner,” Minister Gunawardena said.
Responding to a question raised by a journalist, the Minister said that a group of people, including the convener of the Inter-University Student Federation, have been arrested for further investigation based on the suspicion of a conspiracy to overthrow a democratically elected government.
Government’s decision to detain the activists for 90 days and question under the PTA has been criticized by many parties, including the Opposition.
