On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, which was held yesterday (10), the lawyers of the NPP held a conference titled “Abolish the Prevention of Terrorism Act”. The keynote address was delivered by Lawyer Sumanthiran.
Sumanthiran said that BulL Weeratunga, who was a relative of JR, in 1979 requested to be empowered Military by a special act to combat terrorism which emerge in the Jaffna area
Accordingly, the Anti-Terrorism Act, which was being effective for 6 months, introduced as a temporary act. Although the SL Military was empowered by said act, Bull Weeratunga was unable to curb terrorism. Nevertheless it escalated into a massive war, Sumanthiran said.
He also said that the act which gave authority for 6 months later became a law and now it has become a tool used for political revenge.
Sumanthiran revealed how PTA was used to imprison various people.He highlighted names like Tissanayagam there .All the victims Sumanthiran mentioned confined to past.
JM Wijebandara, a lawyer associated with the JVP , also spoke . He said that the killing of Judge Sarath Ambepitiya and the attack on Rajiv Gandhi by a navy soldier were not covered by the PTA. But underworld leaders like Makadure Madush, Kosgoda Tharaka were jailed and killed by using PTA.
Although the NPP speakers mentioned past victims , they did not mention anyone who is suffering today because of the PTA.
1. NPP speakers did not say a word about Laxman Coory, who has been out on bail for 13 years after being arrested in connection with Jeyaraj’s murder.
2. NPP speakers did not say a word about Mohd Fazal, who was arrested for releasing a video about cremation of corona bodies and has been out on bail for 2 years
It is worth noting, Tissanayagams were jailed under PTA during a warsituation , but today, when there is no war, hundreds of people have been jailed under the PTA.
