Sri Lanka approves new anti-terrorism law draft

Colombo: Affirming Sri Lanka's commitment to human rights, the country's cabinet on Wednesday approved the draft of a new counter-terrorism law to replace the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act.

A committee, chaired by Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake, was appointed to draft the new counter-terrorism law which will be aimed at providing adequate provisions for prevention of terrorism and affirm Sri Lanka's commitment on human rights responsibilities, Xinhua news agency reported citing acting government spokesperson Karunarathna Paranavithana.

Paranavithana said the new law was needed as terrorism had changed its nature, growing from internal conflicts to trans-national violence.

"We need the new law to ensure that the country is not used as a recruiting ground or for other organising activity of international terrorists," he said.