President arming himself with dictatorial powers under proposed Anti-Terrorism Act, FSP says

By Saman Indrajith

The Frontline Socialist Party says that in the guise of doing away with the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act the government is planning to bring in a more draconian Anti-Terrorism Act.

Addressing the media at the party’s headquarters in Nugegoda, FSP Educational Secretary Pubudu Jagoda said that the PTA would soon be replaced by an ATA which would give draconian powers to the President.

“The President will have powers to ban any organisation at will. He will have the discretion to fix the terrorist label on any individual or organisation and have him or her arrested and detained. He could even attach the terrorist label on any society or group. Thereafter not even a lawyer would be able to speak against it, for those who speak against it too would be identified as people aiding and abetting of terrorism,” Jagoda said.

“The police and military too will be given discretionary powers enabling them to use those powers arbitrarily. Apart from the courts only the President has powers to issue detention orders under the provisions of the PTA. IUSF convener Wasantha Mudalige and other student leaders Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera and Hashan Jeewantha were detained after the Galle Face Aragalaya by using those provisions. The President ordered their detention. As per the proposed provisions of the ATA, a DIG too could issue such detention orders. How many DIGs do we have now and in what manner would they use such power? Where is the guarantee that these DIGs would not abuse that power? Simply, a DIG would be able to detain any person for three months and the courts would not be able to do anything if the proposed ATA becomes law,” Jagoda said.

“This ATA coming in place of PTA would be similar to swapping chilies for ginger as our ancient adage goes,” Jagoda said, adding that all those who cherish democratic values must stand against the ATA.