Peace in Sri Lanka

The Government has promulgated Regulations as of December 6, 2006, to combat acts of terrorism in the country. This decision was taken in response to growing public demand for stern Governmental action to counter terrorist acts including suicide bombings by the LTTE. The Government’s actions were made necessary despite consistent measures adopted in good faith to achieve a peaceful settlement through negotiations.

These Regulations, the Emergency (Prevention and Prohibition of Terrorism and Specified Terrorist Activities) Regulations, No. 7 of 2006, are intended to prevent all acts of terrorism and are consistent with Sri Lanka’s international legal obligations under the Conventions to which Sri Lanka is a party, and with the United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1373 of 2001, which calls for the adoption of meaningful measures to prevent and suppress terrorism. These Regulations include a detailed definition of terrorism for the first time in Government Regulations enacted in Sri Lanka.

involves the use of violence, force, coercion, intimidation, threats, duress, or
threatens or endangers national security, or
intimidates a civilian population or a group thereof, or
disrupts or threatens public order, the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community, or
causing destruction or damage to property, or
endangering a person’s life, other than that of the person committing the act, or
creating a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public, or
is designed to interfere with or disrupt an electronic system and which unlawful conduct is aimed at or is committed with the object of threatening or endangering the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

Any person who acts in contravention of these Regulations shall be guilty of an offense and shall on conviction by a High Court be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not exceeding 20 years.

A Competent Authority will be appointed by the President with a view to facilitating a peaceful political solution, termination of terrorism or specific terrorist activities, the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community, provision of humanitarian assistance and conduct of development activities.

The Government reiterates its commitment to achieving a lasting political solution to the conflict and early resumption of negotiations.