The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed serious concern over the recently gazetted the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (“PSTB”) and followed by the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill (“OCB”).
Pointing out that both Bills have since been placed on the Order Paper of Parliament, the BASL has said both Bills have been presented as legislative reforms, individually and collectively, and they would confer extraordinary powers of arrest, detention and surveillance upon the Executive, curtail judicial oversight at the very stages when the protection of individual liberty is most critical, and create criminal liability with far-reaching implications for freedom of association, expression and movement.
The BASL has opposed the enactment of both Bills in their present form. For full statement please access island.lk