Praise for PTA re-enactment

COLOMBO: The Judicial Services Association and the Colombo Magistrate's Court Lawyers Association hailed President Mahinda Rajapaksa's initiative to reactivate the provisions of Prevention of Terrorism Act to check the escalating terrorist activities.

The members of these two associations at a meeting with the President yesterday said they fully contented with what they termed as firm steps taken by the President to resolve the ethnic issue. They said the ethnic problem could only be solved by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President addressing the delegation reaffirmed that the provisions were not intended to oppress the trade unions, political parties, student movements or deny the basic human rights of individuals. The discussion was also focused on the problems confronting the two Associations.

Judicial Services Commission Secretary Chandra Jayathilake, Colombo Chief Magistrate Sarojani Kusala Weerawardana, District Courts Judges Sisira Ratnayaka, M. Ised Razein, Iranganie Perera and Magistrate Crishanthi Dodangoda represented the Judicial Officials' Association while Colombo Magistrate Court Lawyers Association was represented by Association's President Ranjith Shantha, Secretary R.A.P. Ranawaka, President's Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya and Lalith Weerathunga, Secretary to the President.