Parliamentary committee approves Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations approved the Prevention of Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill.

The Bill was considered at a recent meeting of the Committee in Parliament chaired by Attorney-at-Law and MP Lakmali Hemachandra.

The proposed legislation seeks to give effect to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178, adopted on September 24, 2014, which calls for measures to prevent and suppress threats posed by foreign terrorist fighters.

The Bill was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on October 20 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

Officials told the Committee that, under the proposed law, legal action could be taken in Sri Lanka over offences committed either within or outside the country by Sri Lankan citizens or foreign nationals, provided the act concerned also constitutes an offence under the law of the country where it was committed.

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 told the Committee that the legislation was not being introduced on ethnic grounds and was not intended to target Sri Lankans living overseas.

Following an extensive discussion, the Committee approved the Bill. Committee member and MP Sivagnanam Shritharan opposed the proposed legislation.

MPs Suranga Rathnayake, Thilina Samarakoon and Wijesiri Basnayake were among those who attended the meeting.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Ministry of Defence, the Attorney General’s Department and the Legal Draftsman’s Department were also present.