The President has informed the visiting EU delegation that he will take immediate steps to amend the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says that necessary committees have been appointed in this regard and instructions have been given to the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General based on their reports.
The Presidential Media Unit has announced that the President made this observation during a discussion with the EU delegation at his private residence in Mirihana yesterday (04) morning.
The EU Special Envoy arrived in Sri Lanka on the 27th to inquire into the Sri Lankan government’s continued human rights record, including the implementation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Staying in Sri Lanka until yesterday (05), they met with representatives of the government, political parties, trade unions, civil society, employers as well as the United Nations.
The Presidential Media Unit further announced that the EU delegation pointed out the need for a time based solution.
“The EU delegation noted the need for a time-based solution, focusing on the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The delegation said it would submit a formal report to the European Commission and the European Parliament based on the findings of the visit.
During the discussion, the President further stated that he would abide by the agreements on human rights in the world today. The President has said that steps have been taken to provide relief to the families of the missing and to pay compensation to the missing.
The President also stated that he had mentioned before the United Nations the need for Tamil political parties, members of the Tamil Diaspora and all parties abroad to work together to resolve the country’s internal problems and move the country forward.
In mid-June, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of GSP + tax relief as well as anti-terrorism assistance to Sri Lanka if promises to protect human rights, including the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, are not fulfilled.