SLFP submits proposals to counter terrorism and extremism
The SLFP Parliamentary group has presented a set of proposals to quell new form of terrorism and extremism and to promote inter faith and inter ethnic harmony that includes the close monitoring of the social media and proscribing of face veils like burqa and full face helmets.
The SLFP believes that with the enactment of this piece of legislation or to amalgamate it with the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) with other necessary amendments, the country will have an extremely powerful and futuristic legislative measure to forcefully counter terrorism and extremism.
The SLFP is ready to consider to incorporate these proposals with the proposed Counter Terrorism Bill (CTB) after removing all clauses and paragraphs allegedly detrimental to national interests, media and Trade unions if the government or the UNP agrees.
Former Minister and senior vice President of the SLFP, Nimal Siripala De Silva addressing the media in Parliament recently said laws have to be enacted to educate Sri Lankan students who return home after completing their studies in the overseas on our cultural, religious, social and traditional values.
There must be a comprehensive screening system on foreigners who arrive in Sri Lanka to give lectures or preach on religion and culture, to conduct seminars or workshops on these matters.
Registration of political parties on religious, caste or regional lines has to be banned and there must be a common law on religious centres, places of worship and prayer centres.
Formation of Ministries separately on religious lines must be stopped and there must only be one Ministry of Religious Affairs to take care of all religions.
New laws to control and prevent the internet, Facebook, Whatsapp and other social media platforms from being used to spread interfaith mistrust, character assassination and other propaganda detrimental to national security.
“We have already written to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on National Security, Parliamentarian Malik Jayatilaka to discuss these proposal in the select committee and take measures to enact them as early as possible”,mr.de Silva said.
“We have observed that there has been a delay in recent times in Parliament in law making.we want to bring these proposals into the statute book with necessary amendments if there are any as soon a possible,” Mr. De Silva stressed.
General Secretary of the SLFP, former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said the SLFP was ready to discuss these proposals with the UNP and convince them the importance of passing them in Parliament sooner than later.
Former Minister Duminda Dissanayaka said the Oversight Committee is scheduled to meet next Friday to discuss the proposals.
General Secretary of the UPFA, former minister Mahinda Amaraweera said these proposals could be incorporated in the proposed Counter Terrorism Bill and mitigate its ill effects.