Sri Lanka opposition rallies against terror bills

Hundreds of opposition activists marched to Sri Lanka's parliament on Wednesday to demand the withdrawal of proposed anti-terror and organised-crime laws that rights groups and campaigners say would undermine civil liberties.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's government plans to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1979. It is also proposing tougher laws on organised crime, particularly drug-related offences. The country's main opposition argues that the organised-crime proposals could be used against it to settle scores.

Activists from the leftist Frontline Socialist Party and their allies protested against the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill and the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill. The crowd shouted slogans denouncing the bills before dispersing peacefully while police guarded entrances to the parliament building.

Critics cited provisions including possible detention for up to 72 hours without being brought before a magistrate, detention in police custody for up to a year under an executive order and expanded surveillance powers.

The UN human rights office has said the bills use vague definitions of terrorism and related offences that could undermine civic and media freedoms, as well as the right to dissent peacefully. The Centre for Policy Alternatives has called for both bills to be withdrawn and is challenging them in the Supreme Court before they move to debate and a vote in parliament, where Dissanayake's party has a two-thirds majority.