The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has issued a fervent appeal to the government to immediately retract the recently published Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Online Safety Bill. Both bills were featured in Gazettes issued on September 15th and 18th, respectively. The BASL's call is grounded in the belief that these proposed bills significantly infringe upon individual liberties and freedom while posing a substantial threat to the country's democratic principles and the rule of law.

During a meeting held by the Bar Council, members reached a unanimous resolution expressing their deep concern regarding the potential repercussions of both bills. They stressed that these legislative measures have been introduced without adequate consultation with the relevant stakeholders, including the BASL. Furthermore, the Bar Association pointed out that their observations and concerns regarding the previous version of the Anti-Terrorism Bill have seemingly been disregarded.

In response to these concerns, the BASL has called upon the government to engage in meaningful consultations with the various stakeholders, notably the BASL itself. The aim is to address these apprehensions and incorporate the insights of those who will be directly affected by the bills' provisions. The Bar Association underscores the gravity of these bills, emphasizing their far-reaching impact on the broader community.