Supreme Court hears challenges to proposed anti-terrorism bill

Newswire, Sri Lanka Mirror, Hiru News and Ada Derana report that the Supreme Court began hearing petitions challenging the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill. Sri Lanka Mirror says the challenge concerns the bill’s constitutionality and that the government presented it to Parliament.

Sri Lanka Mirror reports that 22 petitions had been filed, while Ada Derana reports that the court was hearing 25. Daily Mirror reports more broadly that numerous petitions had also been filed against the proposed anti-terrorism measure and a separate Sri Lanka Cricket Bill.

WhatNews (සිංහල) reports that a petition by the Sri Lanka Professional Journalists’ Association, challenging provisions in the bill, was scheduled to be heard. Hiru News (සිංහල) describes the proceedings as continuing into a second day, while Hiru News (தமிழ்) also reports that the hearing continued.

Ada Derana reports that oral submissions in the petitions were later concluded. The available reports do not provide the court’s decision or describe a subsequent step.