EU denies hand in National Security Act replacing PTA

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa-May 12, 2016, 9:32 pm 

The European Union (EU) yesterday claimed that the idea of replacing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) had come not from the EU but from the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) as part of its commitment to the joint Human Rights Council Resolution in Geneva resolution.

Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the EU to Sri Lanka and the Maldives David Daly told the media at the introduction of EU’s human rights initiatives for this year at the Taj Samudra, Colombo, that the issue was not the abolishing the PTA but, replacing it with a modern security legislation conforming to international standards.

In answer to a question from the media, Daly said: "Replacing the PTA doesn’t come from me and it comes from the GOSL. It is a commitment made in the joint resolution the Lankan government moved with the Human Rights Council in Geneva last September.

"It is very important to understand that we are not talking about issues of the EU posing this or that or we are not talking about the commitments which its sovereign government has undertaken. We applaud those commitments."

The legislation should not interfere with the protection of Human Rights and the question was to get that balance right, the EU Ambassador said.

Highlighting the EU support for human rights and human development of Sri Lanka, Daly explained that the EU was channeling around Rs. 770 million towards the building of stronger communities and a vibrant civil society.

The funds would be used by the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to promote economic development in some of Sri Lanka’s poorest areas and build capacities of community stakeholders including media, lawyers and judges.

Daly also noted that lack of female representation in politics in Sri Lanka and lack of support for the female headed households should be addressed.

He praised the CSOs in Sri Lanka, which, he said, were doing great work under extremely difficult conditions.

Asked whether there would be international jurists in Sri Lanka or not, National Co-existence Dialogue and Official Languages Minister Mano Ganesan said there would definitely be international participation and the level of participation would be decided by the government.