Cabinet approves draft Bill to repeal PTA: PM

Sri Lanka will fulfill the pledges made to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament on Friday.He said that steps are being taken to release the remaining LTTE detainees and the repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is in the final stage These are two demands made by the UNHRC for many years, he added.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will provide the necessary guidance in releasing LTTE detainees who have been languishing in prison for a long time,the PM said.

“The draft bill to repeal the PTA has been approved by the Cabinet. It will be presented to the Parliament soon,” he said.Commenting on the outcome of the recent UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister said the country was not isolated internationally. About 20 countries abstained from voting to honor their international and domestic policies, he said.

“Their decision at the UNHRC will not affect trade, aid or any other matter concerning Sri Lanka,” he said.

Meanwhile, opposition MP, former foreign minister Prof. GL Peiris said the resolution on Sri Lanka was adopted because the country failed to fulfill its pledges to the international community.Sri Lanka has failed to obtain the support of countries like Qatar, UAE and Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, Prof. Peiris said. This should be a serious concern, he stressed.