By Mithun Jayawardhana
The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be abolished as envisaged in President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s policy statement, however, the abolition or the amendment of an Act comes within the ambit of Parliament, said Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Vijitha Herath, yesterday (6).
He asserted that the policies presented by the President in the Presidential Election will not be changed under any circumstances.
He said that Parliament should meet before making amendments to the PTA or for it to be abolished. Various rumours circulated last week regarding this matter, yet the Government does not maintain double standards in that regard.
“The Government will definitely work on the abolition of the PTA after the upcoming election,” assured Minister Herath.
“The Government also believes that the Online Safety Act requires to be amended during the next Parliament after considering the views of the stakeholders.”
He further said that the discussions with the stakeholders would determine whether the Act should be amended or should go through a completely new legislative process.
The Online Safety Act, which was published in the Government Gazette in September 2023, was passed in Parliament in January 2024.