Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill only to rehabilitate drug addicts not Aragalaya members: Minister

Refuting allegations that the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill was brought in to suppress Aragalaya members, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe today said drafting of the Bill commenced in 2004 even before some of the Aragalaya people were born.

He told Parliament that the Bill was initially drafted to rehabilitate drug addicts and ex-LTTE combatants.

He said the Bill included provisions to rehabilitate ex-combatants and members of violent groups, as it was commenced drafting during the time of the war.

The Minister said a huge uproar was created against this Bill after it was presented in Parliament as it was done when an Aragalaya emerged in the country.

The The Bill is now restricted to the Rehabilitation Bureau aiming to rehabilitate drug addicts after the Supreme Court determination. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)