His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill, recently presented to the parliament by the Sri Lankan government as a replacement for the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The petition, which names the Attorney General as the respondent, contends that various provisions within the Anti-Terrorism Bill are incompatible with the Constitution. Cardinal Ranjith has called upon the Supreme Court to issue an order explicitly declaring these provisions as unconstitutional.

Among the cardinal's primary concerns is the apprehension that, if enacted in its current form, the Anti-Terrorism Bill would grant extensive powers to the Tri-Forces, Police, and Coast Guard, enabling them to make arrests without reasonable suspicion. This, he argues in his petition, would be a direct violation of fundamental rights, including the constitutionally protected freedom of expression.

Cardinal Ranjith, in his plea to the Supreme Court, has urged the highest judicial authority to mandate a parliamentary vote with a two-thirds majority and a subsequent referendum for the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill. The cardinal contends that such a measure is crucial to ensure the legislation aligns with constitutional principles and safeguards citizens' rights.

The Anti-Terrorism Bill, presented to the parliament on January 10, has sparked significant debate and concerns among various sections of the society.