The proposal has been tabled by Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Dinesh Gunawardena during the Cabinet meeting held yesterday. Speaking further, the Minister said this draft Bill suppresses freedom of media, trade unions, student unions, student movements as well as politics, adding that the Counter-Terrorism Act was heavily criticized as a means to “pamper terrorism”.

Accordingly, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in Article 78 remains the same, the Minister added.Terrorism will be eradicated and this country will be made a place where everyone can live without fear and, Minister Gunawardana stressed.