Prof. G. L. Peiris, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), says that arresting and detaining people under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which has been widely condemned internationally, is not a wise move for a country on the eve of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 51st session. He points out that the fact that these arrests are taking place at a time when members of the International Monetary Fund are in the country makes the situation even more complicated.
Professor G.L. Peiris also said:
“The 51st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva will begin on September 12. Now there are representatives of the International Monetary Fund in our country to negotiate with the government for a staff-level agreement. Their support is very important to us. The key factor in getting that support is political stability. If the Prevention of Terrorism Act is used to arrest and harass the way they are doing now, the necessary environment for holding staff-level discussions for the International Monetary Fund will not be created at all.
