Sri Lanka will soon bring in a new anti-terrorism law, Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe has said. Wickremesinghe was addressing a joint press briefing with New Zealand premier John Key in Auckland where he is on a visit. “We hope to be able to bring in the draft law soon,” Wickremesinghe said.
“The government had appointed a committee to look at the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and to draft a new counter terrorism bill. This will be done to meet international standards,” said Sagala Ratnayake, law and order minister who is part of Wickremesinghe’s delegation in New Zealand.
Human rights groups have pointed to the draconian nature of the PTA which was enacted in 1979 during the early days of the LTTE militancy. During the LTTE’s over three-decade armed campaign to set up a separate Tamil state, many LTTE activists were held under the PTA.
International rights groups have urged the Sri Lankan government to repeal the PTA and release those held under its
provisions.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka will establish high commissions in each other’s countries, New Zealand PM Key said.
“Sri Lanka has embarked on a courageous course to rebuild the country after a generation-long civil war, and we are keen to support that process both politically and by growing our strong economic relationship.
“Establishing high commissions in Wellington and Colombo in the next few years will help support that process,” he added.
Key said the two Commonwealth countries discussed reducing trade tariffs, working together on boosting tourism and bringing more students to study in New Zealand.
They also talked about mixed member proportional (MMP) system, as Sri Lanka is considering introducing a
proportional representation system.
The Sri Lankan PM said his country is considering introducing the MMP system for its own parliament.
Wickremesinghe, who is making the first visit by a Sri Lankan prime minister to New Zealand, said Sri Lanka also wants to study New Zealand’s political system.
Trade between the two countries is growing, mainly because of rising demand for milk
powder in Sri Lanka.
Key said Sri Lanka was an increasingly attractive market for exporters, and he hopes to boost trade between the two countries.
Wickremesinghe is in New Zealand for three days.