Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera said that the Government’s claim that the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill follows a United Nations convention is false.
He made these remarks during yesterday’s (05) Parliamentary debate on the Trusts (Amendment) Bill.
Perera said a UN report had made clear that the Bill was not drafted in line with the organisation’s conventions.
He said the UN had also urged the Government to ensure that any new law complies with international standards.
On that basis, he accused the Government of misleading Parliament about the origins of the proposed legislation.
He questioned who had written a Bill containing such serious provisions and asked whether the Government had consulted the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, civil society groups or subject experts.
He said it had consulted none of them and described the drafting process as entirely arbitrary.
Perera said that the Government was introducing the law to suppress democratic dissent against its own administration.
He said the measure, presented as a way to protect the state from terrorism, was harsher than the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The opposition lawmaker alleged that it borrows elements from the PTA, which he described as a matter of grave concern.
Noting that the Bill is under review by the Supreme Court, Perera said he trusted the Court would deliver a sound ruling that upholds the fundamental human rights of citizens.
He said the opposition would offer its support if the Government presented a fresh Bill on organised crime that is consistent with human rights.
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