SJB Lawyer Accuses Government of Moving Towards Authoritarian Rule Over Proposed Organised Crime Bill

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has accused the government of moving towards authoritarian rule through proposed legislation aimed at combating organised crime and replacing the existing anti-terrorism law.

Speaking at an SJB media briefing on November 3, party Deputy Legal Secretary, Attorney-at-Law Rajitha Lakmal, claimed that although the government described the proposed legislation as better than the existing anti-terrorism law, the new bill could be introduced without obtaining parliamentary approval.

He alleged that the proposed laws could be used to arrest individuals who oppose the government and warned that provisions allowing suspects to be detained for up to one year could undermine judicial oversight.

Lakmal also criticised police conduct, stating that officers had no right to shoot people over minor offences or beat individuals to death. He accused the police of exercising arbitrary power instead of enforcing the law properly.

He further claimed that the proposed legislation could restrict journalists from engaging in investigative reporting.

The SJB representative also alleged that the government was attempting to suppress potential future political leaders and said he did not believe the current administration would receive a second mandate from the public.

He added that the SJB opposed what he described as rules imposed by the Pelawatte leadership and would continue to challenge the proposed laws.

SJB Questions Government Sponsorship for Media Institution

Lakmal also raised concerns over an alleged government sponsorship of Rs.100 million for MTV, in connection with an upcoming summit of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union to be held in Sri Lanka.

He claimed that MTV had requested government assistance for the event and that Cabinet approval had been granted to provide the funding. According to him, the government had instructed the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau to release the money from public funds.

He questioned whether any proper investigation had been conducted into the allocation and called on the Finance Minister and Tourism Minister to take immediate action.

Lakmal urged the government to focus on allegations surrounding the coal procurement controversy and the container-related controversy rather than spending public funds without proper scrutiny.

He also called for an investigation into allegations levelled against the Speaker of Parliament.

He said the SJB was closely monitoring allegations of corruption and irregularities involving the government and would take steps to lodge complaints regarding the matters raised.