Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Government commits to removing tattoo provisions from organised crime bill
The government has pledged to amend controversial provisions in the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill that would allow authorities to use tattoos and body marks as identifying features. The commitment was made before the Supreme Court ahead of the Bill's Committee Stage.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Solicitor General, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informed the Supreme Court that provisions relating to tattoos and body marks would be struck from the proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill through legislative amendments. Solicitor General President's Counsel Viraj Dayaratne confirmed the government's intention to introduce these changes during the Committee Stage of the legislation. The undertaking signals a concession by the government following apparent concerns raised before the court regarding the scope of the original bill's identification provisions. The Bill, designed to strengthen legal mechanisms against organised criminal activity, will proceed through parliament with the revised framework. The specific amendments are expected to be tabled when the Committee Stage debate commences, allowing parliamentarians to review the modified text before further proceedings.