Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda has raised concerns over Sri Lanka’s proposed organized crime legislation, claiming that even entering into a second marriage unlawfully could be classified as a serious offence under the proposed law.
Speaking at a media briefing, Jayagoda questioned why offences such as unlawful second marriages, copyright violations, unlicensed gambling and prohibited activities in protected forests had been included in legislation intended to combat organized crime.
He argued that the broad definition of organized criminal groups could expose ordinary citizens to serious legal consequences for offences that would not normally be associated with organized criminal activity.
According to Jayagoda, the proposed legislation defines an organized criminal group as a structured group of three or more individuals acting together to commit specified offences for financial or other material benefits.
He also raised concerns over provisions referring to clothing, hairstyles, hand gestures, language and tattoos associated with known organized criminal groups when assessing whether an individual belongs to such a group.
“Is having a tattoo a crime in Sri Lanka?” Jayagoda questioned, asking what would happen to individuals who already had tattoos before the proposed legislation was enacted.
The FSP representative also warned that provisions relating to obstructing police officers could potentially be misused against protesters or citizens intervening in alleged police misconduct.
He called for greater scrutiny of the proposed legislation, warning that its provisions could extend beyond the stated objective of combating organized crime.
Jayagoda also questioned provisions relating to hairstyles and tattoos, arguing that such characteristics should not be used to unfairly identify individuals as members of criminal groups.
The Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill was presented to Parliament on October 20. The government says the legislation is intended to strengthen efforts against organized crime and implement international obligations (Newswire)
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