The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court of this decision today (09) when petitions challenging the Prevention of Organised Crime Bill were taken up for consideration.

Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, Additional Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne stated that action will be taken to amend the permissible period for detaining a suspect from 72 hours to 48 hours.

Key Points

  • Suspect detention period to be amended from 72 hours to 48 hours.
  • Decision taken to remove provisions regarding tattoos and distinctive marks.
  • Clause requiring court permission to publish case information also to be withdrawn.

Several more clauses removed

It was also informed at the hearing that provisions regarding tattoos and marks included in the bill will be withdrawn.

Furthermore, the Attorney General informed the court that steps will be taken to remove the clause specifying that permission from the court must be obtained to publish any information related to a serious crime case.