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The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations has approved the Prevention of Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill, which seeks to give effect to a United Nations Security Council resolution on preventing and suppressing the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters.
The Bill was approved when the Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of NPP MP Lakmali Hemachandra.
The legislation, presented to Parliament for its First Reading on October 20 by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister, seeks to give effect to UN Security Council Resolution 2178, adopted on September 24, 2014, and provide for matters connected with or incidental to it.
Officials told the Committee that legal action could be instituted under the proposed law in Sri Lanka in respect of offences committed within or outside the country by a Sri Lankan or a foreign national, provided the act also constitutes an offence under the law of the relevant country.
They said engaging in terrorist activities, planning or preparing such activities, participating in them, and providing or receiving terrorist training would constitute offences under the proposed legislation.
Officials also stressed that the provisions were not being introduced on an ethnic basis or with the intention of targeting Sri Lankans living overseas.Following an extensive discussion, the Committee approved the Bill. However, ITAK MP Sivagnanam Shritharan, a member of the Committee, expressed his opposition to the proposed legislation.
MPs Suranga Rathnayake, Thilina Samarakoon and Wijesiri Basnayake, among others, attended the meeting.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Ministry of Defence, Attorney General’s Department and Legal Draftsman’s Department were also present.
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Kissing Kawanthissa worthier than embracing IMF Chief, says Sajith
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said that kissing Kawanthissa, the deceased tusker, was worthier than kissing the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Speaking in Parliament, Premadasa criticised the Government’s relationship with international financial institutions, including the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), while raising concerns over the country’s poverty levels.
Referring to a 2025 World Bank report, he said 61.1% of Sri Lanka’s population was estimated to be living on less than US$8.30 a day in 2025.
Premadasa questioned the Government’s approach towards international financial institutions, saying the IMF, World Bank and ADB were among the institutions that the Government preferred to “kiss and hug”.
During his speech, he produced a document carrying a photograph of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya greeting the then IMF chief with an embrace.
“I shouldn’t be showing this against the Prime Minister, but here’s an image of you kissing. That’s fine; it’s the normal way of greeting someone,” he said.
Referring to criticism over his widely publicised gesture of kissing Kawanthissa, Premadasa said Government members had failed to understand the significance of the gesture.
He maintained that showing affection towards the deceased tusker was more meaningful and worthy than such gestures towards the IMF chief.
Seven remanded over Ruwanwelisaya clash
Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and six others were remanded until November 26 by the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday over a confrontation at a protest site near the historic Ruwanwelisaya.
The seven suspects, including four Buddhist monks and three civilians, were arrested following a clash on Thursday (12) between two groups at the site.
They were produced before Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne on charges of assaulting and injuring Rajanganaye Saddharathana Thera and obstructing police duties.
Saddharathana Thera sustained head injuries during the confrontation and was admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.
The suspects had been staging a fast-unto-death protest near the Ruwanwelisaya in opposition to the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan and demanding the release of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera.
Police said the group had continued the protest despite previous court orders to vacate the area.
The Chief Magistrate, who visited the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital to inspect the monks and civilians receiving treatment, ordered that all seven suspects undergo drug tests and that a report be submitted to court.
The Magistrate also ordered that a psychiatric medical report be obtained concerning Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera.Police Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler said two women were among the civilians arrested in connection with the incident.
The Magistrate further directed Anuradhapura Headquarters Police to produce Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera before the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court in connection with an arrest warrant issued after he failed to appear for a case there on November 11, and subsequently report back to the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.
Police took the suspects into custody following the confrontation between the group led by Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and another group led by Rajanganaye Saddharathana.
Lanka likely to enter new IMF agreement – Deputy Minister
Sri Lanka is likely to enter into another agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando said.
Speaking on the Derana 360 programme on Thursday night (12), Fernando said a committee, appointed by the Cabinet, would assess the need for a further IMF programme and Sri Lanka’s foreign reserve position.
He said the committee was appointed at the last Cabinet meeting but had not yet convened.
The committee is expected to assess the country’s position as Sri Lanka prepares to move beyond its 17th IMF programme, which Fernando described as having been successfully completed.
“The responsibility we have now is different from what we had previously. Earlier, the focus was on achieving economic stability. Now, we are preparing to take the next step,” he said.
Fernando said Sri Lanka would continue to engage with the IMF and other international organisations, irrespective of whether it was under a specific programme.
However, he stressed that the country’s requirements would have to be carefully assessed before deciding on the most appropriate course of action.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the Cabinet, which will make the final decision.
Asked whether the appointment of the committee indicated that Sri Lanka was likely to enter into another IMF programme, Fernando acknowledged that there was such a possibility.
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