WCC News: National Christian Council of Sri Lanka releases statement opposing proposed Anti-Terrorism Act

The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka, in a statement, expressed its strong opposition to a proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) which aims to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The Rev. Joseph Gnanapra and Gnanatheepom Rasakanthan walk through a neighborhood in Veenamkaman, Sri Lanka, where the Church of the American Ceylon Mission is starting their outreach program. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 02 May 2023 “Successive governments promised the people of Sri Lanka and the international community that the PTA would be repealed and replaced by new legislation that would not violate the country’s constitutional and international human rights obligations,” reads the statement. “The proposed ATA, however, fails to fulfil this promise and in fact contains provisions that make it as bad, if not worse, than the PTA.” The statement calls for accountability to the public. “The ATA contains vague definitions that could make dissent, including protests and trade union action, acts of terrorism,” reads the statement. “The definition could also make dissenters ‘terrorists.’ ”  The ATA, among other issues, empowers the executive to decide on and enforce punishments without judicial sanction.  “We note that many of the provisions in the ATA are similar or even worse than the PTA and that it could only lead to further rights violations,” reads the statement. “Proposing a law like the ATA to further strengthen the executive is particularly alarming at a time when there have been widespread calls and support throughout the country to abolish the executive presidency and strengthen the judiciary.” World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, who visited Sri Lanka in April, expressed his ongoing support for the efforts of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka.  “Churches must exercise their prophetic ministry in the context of rights and responsibilities of people, especially when it comes to demanding accountability from leaders,” he said. “As people struggle to realize their right to live within a just legal system, the World Council of Churches stands with you in solidarity, support and prayer.”  National Christian Council (NCC) of Sri Lanka statement on proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland