Sinister mechanism to suppress protesters: CSM

The Supreme Court has ruled that this bill’s certain sections are inconsistent with the Constitution.-

In a letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Christian Solidarity Movement has sharply criticized sections of the bill for the setting up of the “Bureau of Rehabilitation.” The movement says:  

We the members of the Christian Solidarity Movement are surprised to read them. Bill titled “Bureau of Rehabilitation” gazette on the 29th of Sept 2022 and presented to the Cabinet by Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksha the Minister of Justice on the 23rd of Sept which has subsequently received its approval and is due to be discussed in the parliament.  

The purpose as stated in the Bill is rehabilitation of drug-dependent persons, ex-combatants, members of the violent extremist groups and any other person or persons who require treatment and rehabilitation.  

In our view, this proposed Bill is a frightening and horrible piece of law for the following reasons.  

 We find it to be undemocratic and inconsistent with the constitution of Sri Lanka and it violates the fundamental rights and the sovereignty of people.  

 In our judgement it is an arbitrary mechanism which authorizes any government officer to decide on the fate of a political activist.   

It provides the government with a sinister mechanism to suppress the protesters and political activists and to control every dissent. If the bill is made a law, those taken to the rehabilitation centers can be even subjected to torture.   

 Furthermore, this is a rapid move on the part of the government towards a dictatorial and militarized form of rule.  
We therefore at our monthly meeting held on the 11th of October decided to call upon all democracy loving citizens in the country to come forward to defend the inherent rights of our people and to demand your Excellency’s government to withdraw the proposed the Bill.   

Christian Solidarity Movement: Rev. Nishantha Gunaratna, Fr. Rohan Silva, Fr. Sherard Jayawardana,Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda, Fr. Sathivel, Fr. Terrence Fernando, Rev. P. Rajan Rohan, Fr. Samuel Ponniah, Sr. Rasika Peiris, Sr. Noel Christine Fernando, Sr. Deepa Fernando, Mr. Ruki Fernando, Mr. Lalin Fernandopulle, Mr. Ralston Weinman, Mr. Mahinda Namal