PreventionofTerrorism(TemporaryProvisions)ActNo.48of1979 AnActtoMakeTemporaryProvisionforthePreventionofActsofTerrorisminSriLanka,the PreventionofUnlawfulActivitiesofAnyIndividual,GroupofIndividuals,Association, OrganisationorBodyofPersonsWithinSriLankaorOutsideSriLankaandforMatters ConnectedTherewithorIncidentalThereto.

WHEREAStheParliamentoftheDemocraticSocialistRepublicofSriLankacontinuestoaffirm thatmenandinstitutionsremainfreeonlywhenfreedomisfoundeduponrespectfortheRule ofLawandthatgrievancesshouldberedressedbyconstitutionalmethods: ANDWHEREASpublicorderinSriLankacontinuestobeendangeredbyelementsorgroupsof personsorassociationsthatadvocatetheuseofforceorthecommissionofcrimeasameans of,orasanaidin,accomplishinggovernmentalchangewithinSriLanka,andwhohaveresorted toactsofmurderandthreatsofmurderofmembersofParliamentandoflocalauthorities, policeofficers,andwitnessestosuchactsandotherlawabidingandinnocentcitizens,aswell asthecommissionofotheractsofterrorismsuchasarmedrobbery,damagetoStateproperty andotheractsinvolvingactualorthreatenedcoercion,intimidationandviolence: ANDWHEREASotherdemocraticcountieshaveenactedspeciallegislationtodealwithactsof terrorism: BEitenactedbytheParliamentoftheDemocraticSocialistRepublicofSriLankaasfollows: 1.ThisActmaybecitedasthePreventionofTerrorism(TemporaryProvisions)Act,No48of 1979,andshallcomeintooperationinrespectofalloranyofitsprovisionsonsuchdateor datesastheMinistermayappointbyOrderpublishedintheGazette. PARTI OFFENCES 2.(1)Anypersonwho (a)causesthedeathofanyspecifiedperson,orkidnapsorabductsaspecifiedperson,or commitsanyotherattackuponanysuchperson,whichactwould,undertheprovisionsofthe PenalCode,bepunishablewithdeathoratermofimprisonmentofnotlessthansevenyears; or

(b)causesthedeathofanypersonwhoisawitnesstoanyoffenceunderthisAct,orkidnapsor abductsorcommitsanyotherattackuponanysuchperson,whichactwould,underthe provisionsofthePenalCode,bepunishablewithdeathoratermofimprisonmentofnotless thansevenyears;or (c)commitscriminalintimidationofanyspecialpersonorawitnessreferredtoinparagraph (b);or (d)commitstheoffenceofrobberyofthepropertyoftheGovernment,anydepartment, statutoryboard,publiccorporation,bank,cooperativeunionorcooperativesociety;or (e)commitstheoffenceofmischieftothepropertyoftheGovernment,anydepartment, statutoryboard,publiccorporation,bank,cooperativeunionorcooperativesocietyortoany otherpublicproperty;or (f)withoutlawfulauthorityimports,manufacturesorcollectsanyfirearms,offensiveweapons, ammunitionorexplosivesoranyarticleorthingused,orintendedtobeused,inthe manufactureofexplosives;or (g)possesseswithoutlawfulauthority,withinanysecurityarea,anyfirearmsoranyoffensive weapon,ammunitionorexplosivesoranyarticleorthingused,orintendedtobeused,inthe manufactureofexplosives;or (h)bywordseitherspokenorintendedtobereadorbysignsorbyvisiblerepresentationsor otherwisecausesorintendstocausecommissionofactsofviolenceorreligious,racialor communaldisharmonyorfeelingsofillwillorhostilitybetweendifferentcommunitiesorracial orreligiousgroups;or (i)withoutlawfulauthorityerases,mutilates,defacesorotherwiseinterfereswithanywords, inscriptions,orletteringappearingonanyboardorotherfixtureon,uponoradjacentto,any highway,street,roadoranyotherpublicplace;or (j)harbours,concealsorinanyothermannerprevents,hindersorinterfereswiththe apprehensionof,aproclaimedpersonoranyotherperson,knowingorhavingreasontobelieve thatsuchpersonhascommittedanoffenceunderthisAct, shallbeguiltyofanoffenceunderthisAct. (2)Anypersonguiltyofanoffencespecifiedin

(i)paragraph(a)or(b)ofsubsection(1)shallonconvictionbeliabletoimprisonmentforlife, and (ii)paragraphs(c),(d),(e),(f),(g),(h),(i)or(j)ofsubsection(1)shallonconvictionbeliableto imprisonmentofeitherdescriptionforaperiodnotlessthanfiveyearsbutnotexceeding twentyyears. (3)Inthissection (i)"proclaimedperson"meansanypersonproclaimedbytheInspectorGeneralofPoliceby ProclamationpublishedintheGazettetobeapersonwantedinconnectionwiththe commissionofanyoffenceunderthisAct;and (ii)"securityarea"meansanyareadeclaredbytheMinisterbyOrderpublishedintheGazette tobeasecurityareaifheissatisfiedthatbyreasonofanyunlawfulactivitythereisinsucharea areasonableapprehensionoforganisedviolence. 3.Anypersonwho (a)doesanyactpreparatorytothecommissionofanoffence;or (b)abets,conspires,attempts,exhortsorincitesthecommissionofanoffence;or (c)causesthedeathofanyperson,orcommitsanyattackuponanypersonwhomsoeverinthe courseofcommittinganyoffenceunderthisAct,whichactwould,undertheprovisionsofthe PenalCode,bepunishablewithdeathorwithatermofimprisonmentofnotlessthanseven years, shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandshallonconvictionbeliabletoimprisonmentofeither descriptionforaperiodofnotlessthanfiveyearsbutnotexceedingtwentyyearswherethe offenceisonespecifiedinparagraph(a)or(b),ortoimprisonmentforlifewheretheoffenceis onespecifiedinparagraph(c). 4.Whereanypersonisconvictedbyanycourtofanyoffenceundersection2orsection3,then, inadditiontoanyotherpenaltythatthecourtshallimposeforsuchoffence (a)allpropertymovableandimmovable,ofthatpersonshall,byvirtueofsuchconviction,be deemedtobeforfeitedtotheRepublic;and

(b)anyalienationorotherdisposalofsuchpropertyeffectedbysuchpersonafterthedateof comingintooperationofthisPartshallbedeemedtohavebeen,andtobe,nullandvoid. 5.Anypersonwho (a)knowingorhavingreasonablecausetobelievethatanyperson (i)hascommittedanoffenceunderthisAct,or (ii)ismakingpreparationorisattemptingtocommitanoffenceunderthisAct, failstoreportthesametoapoliceofficer;or (b)havinginhispossessionanyinformationrelatingtothemovementsorwhereaboutsofany personwhohascommittedorismakingpreparationsorisattemptingtocommitanoffence underthisActfailstoreportthesametoapoliceofficer, shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandshall,onconvictionbeliabletoimprisonmentofeither descriptionforperiodnotexceedingsevenyears. PARTII INVESTIGATIONOFOFFENCES 6.(1)AnypoliceofficernotbelowtherankofSuperintendentoranyotherpoliceofficernot belowtherankofSubInspectorauthorisedinwritingbyhiminthatbehalfmay,withouta warrantandwithorwithoutassistanceandnotwithstandinganythinginanyotherlawtothe contrary (a)arrestanyperson; (b)enterandsearchanypremises; (c)stopandsearchanyindividualoranyvehicle,vessel,trainoraircraft;and (d)seizeanydocumentorthing, connectedwithorconcernedinorreasonablysuspectedofbeingconnectedwithorconcerned inanyunlawfulactivity.

(2)Anypersonwhoobstructsorhindersanypoliceofficerlawfullyexercisinganypower conferredonhimbyorundersubsection(1),shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandshallon convictionbeliabletoimprisonmentofeitherdescriptionoraperiodnotexceedingseven years. 7.(1)Anypersonarrestedundersubsection(1)ofsection6maybekeptincustodyforaperiod notexceedingseventytwohoursandshall,unlessadetentionorderundersection9hasbeen madeinrespectofsuchperson,beproducedbeforeaMagistratebeforetheexpiryofsuch periodandtheMagistrateshall,onanapplicationmadeinwritinginthatbehalfbyapolice officernotbelowtherankofSuperintendent,makeorderthatsuchpersonberemandeduntil theconclusionofthetrialofsuchperson: Providedthat,wheretheAttorneyGeneralconsentstothereleaseofsuchpersonbefore custodybeforetheconclusionofthetrial,theMagistrateshallreleasesuchpersonfrom custody. (2)Whereanypersonconnectedwithorconcernedinorreasonablysuspectedtobeconnected withorconcernedinthecommissionofanyoffenceunderthisActappearsorisproduced beforeanycourtotherthaninthemannerreferredtoinsubsection(1),suchcourtshallorder theremandofsuchpersonuntiltheconclusionofthetrial: Providedthat,ifanapplicationismadeunderthehandofapoliceofficernotbelowtherankof Superintendenttokeepsuchpersoninpolicecustodyforaperiodnotexceedingseventytwo hours,theMagistrateshallauthorisesuchcustodyandthereupontheorderofremandmadeby theMagistrateshallremainsuspendedfortheperiodduringwhichsuchpersonisinpolice custody. (3)ApoliceofficerconductinganinvestigationunderthisActinrespectofanypersonarrested undersubsection(1)ofsection6orremandedundersubsection(1)orsubsection(2)ofthis section (a)shallhavetherightofaccesstosuchpersonandtherighttotakesuchpersonduring reasonablehourstoanyplaceforthepurposeofinterrogationandfromplacetoplaceforthe purposesofinvestigation;and (b)mayobtainaspecimenofthehandwritingofsuchpersonanddoallsuchactsasmay reasonablybenecessaryforfingerprintingorotherwiseidentifyingsuchperson.

8.AnypoliceofficermayatanystageofaninvestigationortrialproducebeforeanyMagistrate anypersonconversantwithanyfactrelatingtothecommissionofanyoffenceunderthisAct, andtheMagistrateshallthereuponrecordthestatementofsuchpersonuponoath. PARTIII DETENTIONANDRESTRICTIONORDERS 9.(1)WheretheMinisterhasreasontobelieveorsuspectthatanypersonisconnectedwithor concernedinanyunlawfulactivity,theMinistermayorderthatsuchpersonbedetainedfora periodnotexceedingthreemonthsinthefirstinstance,insuchplaceandsubjecttosuch conditionsasmaybedeterminedbytheMinister,andanysuchordermaybeextendedfrom timetotimeforaperiodnotexceedingthreemonthsatatime: Provided,however,thattheaggregateperiodofsuchdetentionshallnotexceedaperiodof eighteenmonths. (2)(a)Atanytimeafteranorderhasbeenmadeinrespectofanypersonundersubsection(1), theMinistermaydirectthattheoperationofsuchorderbesuspendedandmaymakeanorder undersubsection(1)ofsection11. (b)TheMinistermayrevokeanysuchdirectionifheissatisfiedthatthepersoninrespectof whomthedirectionwasmadehasfailedtoobserveanyconditionimposedorthatthe operationoftheordercannolongerremainsuspendedwithoutdetrimenttopublicsafety. 10.Anordermadeundersection9shallbefinalandshallnotbecalledinquestioninanycourt ortribunalbywayofwritorotherwise. 11.(1)WheretheMinisterhasreasontobelieveorsuspectthatanypersonisconnectedwithor concernedinthecommissionofanyunlawfulactivityreferredtoinsubsection(1)ofsection9, hemaymakeanorderinwritingimposingonsuchpersonsuchprohibitionsorrestrictionsas maybespecifiedinsuchorderinrespectof (a)hismovementoutsidesuchplaceofresidenceasmaybespecified;or (b)theplacesofresidenceandofemploymentofsuchperson;or (c)histravelwithinoroutsideSriLanka;or

(d)hisactivitieswhetherinrelationtoanyorganisation,associationorbodyofpersonsof whichsuchpersonisamember,orotherwise;or (e)suchpersonaddressingpublicmeetingsorfromholdingofficein,ortakingpartinthe activitiesoforactingasadviserto,anyorganisation,associationorbodyofpersons,orfrom takingpartinanypoliticalactivities, andhemayrequiresuchpersontonotifyhismovementstosuchauthority,insuchmannerand atsuchtimesasmaybespecifiedintheorder. (2)WheretheMinistermakesarestrictionorderinrespectofanypersonwhileanorderof detentioninrespectofsuchpersonisinforce,suchrestrictionordershall,unlessotherwise specified,takeeffectupontheexpiryofthedetentionorder. (3)Everyordermadeundersubsection(1)shallbeinforceforsuchperiod,notexceedingthree months,asmaybespecifiedtherein: Provided,thattheMinistermay,byorderinwriting,extendsuchperiodfromtimetotimefor periodsnotexceedingthreemonthsatatimesohoweverthattheaggregateofsuchperiods doesnotexceedeighteenmonths. (4)Whereanorderismadeundersubsection(1),theMinistermaybynoticeinwritingserved onthepersontowhomsuchorderrelates,vary,canceloraddtoanyprohibitionsor restrictionsimposedbysuchorderonsuchpersonandtheprohibitionsorrestrictionssovaried oraddedtoshall,unlessearliercancelled,continueinforcefortheunexpiredportionofthe periodspecifiedinsuchorderortheperiodasextendedundersubsection(3). (5)AnordermadebytheMinisterundersubsection(1)shallbefinalandshallnotbecalledin questioninanycourtortribunalbywayofwritorotherwise. 12.Anypersonwhocontravenesoractsinbreachofanyprohibitionorrestrictionimposedon himbyanorderundersection11shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandshallonconvictionbeliable toatermofimprisonmentofeitherdescriptionforaperiodoffiveyears. PARTIV ADVISORYBOARD

13.(1)Thereshall,forthepurposesofthisAct,beestablishedanAdvisoryBoardconsistingof notlessthanthreepersonsappointedbythePresident. (2)Anypersoninrespectofwhomanydetentionorderorrestrictionorderhasbeenmadeshall beinformedoftheunlawfulactivityinconnectionwithwhichsuchorderhasbeenmadeand suchpersonoranyotherpersononhisbehalfmaymakerepresentationstotheAdvisory Board. (3)EverymeetingoftheAdvisoryBoardheldtoconsidersuchrepresentationsshallbepresided overbyaChairmannominatedfromamongthemembersbytheMinisteranditshallbethe dutyoftheChairmantoadvisetheMinisterinrespectofsuchrepresentations. (4)TheMinistermaymakerulesinrelationtothehearinganddisposalofanyrepresentations thatmaybemadebyanypersoninrespectofanysuchorder. PARTV PROHIBITIONOFPUBLICATIONS 14.(1)NotwithstandinganyOrdermadeundersection1,theprovisionsofsubsection(2)shall comeintooperationonlyuponanOrdermadeinthatbehalfbytheMinisterfromtimetotime andpublishedintheGazetteforsuchperiodasmaybespecifiedintheOrder. (2)(a)Nopersonshall,withouttheapprovalinwritingofacompetentauthority,printorpublish inanynewspaperanymatterrelatingto (i)thecommissionofanyactwhichconstituteanoffenceunderthisActortheinvestigationof anysuchoffence;or (ii)incitementtoviolence,orwhichislikelytocausereligious,racialorcommunaldisharmony orfeelingofillwillorhostilitybetweendifferentcommunitiesorracialorreligiousgroups. (b)Nopersonshall,withouttheapprovalinwritingofacompetentauthority,distributeorbe concernedinthedistributionofanynewspaperprintedorpublishedinSriLankaoroutsideSri Lankainrespectofanymattertheprintingandpublicationofwhichisprohibitedunder paragraph(a).

(3)Anypersonwhocommitsanyactincontraventionofanyoftheprovisionsofsubsection(2) shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandshallonconvictionbeliabletoimprisonmentofeither descriptionforaperiodnotexceedingfiveyears. (4)(a)Whereanypersonisconvictedofanoffenceunderthissection,thecourtmay,in additiontothepunishmentitmayimposeforthatoffenceundersubsection(3),orderthatno personshallprint,publishordistributeorinanywaybeconcernedintheprinting,publication ordistributionofanysuchnewspaperforsuchperiodasisspecifiedinsuchorderandthatthe printingpressinwhichsuchnewspaperwasprintedshall,forsuchperiodasshallbespecified insuchorder,notbeusedforanypurposewhatsoeverorforanysuchpurposeasisspecifiedin theorder. (b)Whereanyproceedingshavebeeninstitutedagainstanypersonforthecommissionofany offenceunderthissection,itshallbecompetentforthecourttomakeaninterimorderthatthe printingpressinwhichitisallegedthatsuchnewspaperorpublicationwasprintedshallnotbe usedforanypurposewhatsoeverorforanysuchpurposeasisspecifiedintheorder,untilthe conclusionofthetrial. 15.(1)EverypersonwhocommitsanoffenceunderthisActshallbetriablewithouta preliminaryinquiry,onanindictmentbeforeaJudgeoftheHighCourtsittingalonewithouta juryorbeforeaHighCourtatBarbythreeJudgeswithoutajury,asmaybedecidedbythe ChiefJustice.Theprovisionsofsections450and451oftheCodeofCriminalProcedureAct,No. 15of1979,shall,mutatismutandis,applytothetrialofoffencesunderthisActbytheHigh CourtatBarandtoappealsfromjudgements,sentencesandorderspronouncedatanysuch trialheldbytheHighCourtatBar. [TheabovesubsectionwasintroducedbyAmendingAct22of1988] (2)UpontheindictmentbeingreceivedintheHighCourtagainstanypersoninrespectofany offenceunderthisActoranyoffencetowhichtheprovisionsofsection23shallapply,thecourt shall,ineverycase,ordertheremandofsuchpersonuntiltheconclusionofthetrial. 15A.(1)Whereanypersonisonremandundertheprovisionsofsubsection(2)ofsection15, orsection19(a),notwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthisActoranyotherlaw,theSecretary totheMinistryoftheMinisterinchargeofthesubjectofDefencemay,ifheisoftheopinion thatitisnecessaryorexpedientsotodo,intheinterestsofnationalsecurityorpublicorder, makeOrder,subjecttosuchdirectionsasmaybegivenbytheHighCourttoensureafairtrial

ofsuchperson,thatsuchpersonbekeptinthecustodyofanyauthority,insuchplaceand subjecttosuchconditionsasmaybedeterminedbyhimhavingregardtosuchinterests. (2)AnyOrdermadebytheMinisterundersubsection(1)shallbecommunicatedtotheHigh CourtandtotheCommissionerofPrisonsanditshallbethedutyofsuchCommissioner,to deliverthecustodyofsuchpersontotheauthorityspecifiedinsuchorderandtheprovisionsof thePrisonsOrdinanceshallceasetoapplyinrelationtothecustodyofsuchperson. [Note:Section15AwasinsertedbyAmendingAct10of1982w.e.f.24July1979] PARTVI TRIAL 16.(1)Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofanyotherlaw,whereanypersonischargedwithany offenceunderthisAct,anystatementmadebysuchpersonatanytime,whether (a)itamountstoaconfessionornot; (b)madeorallyorreducedtowriting; (c)suchpersonwasorwasnotincustodyorpresenceofapoliceofficer; (d)madeinthecourseofaninvestigationornot; (e)itwasorwasnotwhollyorpartlyinanswertoanyquestion, againstsuchpersonifsuchstatementisnotirrelevantundersection24oftheEvidence Ordinance: Provided,however,thatnosuchstatementshallbeprovedasagainstsuchpersonifsuch statementwasmadetoapoliceofficerbelowtherankofanAssistantSuperintendent. (2)Theburdenofprovingthatanystatementreferredtoinsubsection(1)isirrelevantunder section24oftheEvidenceOrdinanceshallbeonthepersonassertingittobeirrelevant. (3)Anystatementadmissibleundersubsection(1)maybeprovedasagainstanyotherperson chargedjointlywiththepersonmakingthestatement,if,andonlyif,suchstatementis

corroboratedinmaterialparticularsbyevidenceotherthanthestatementsreferredtoin subsection(1). 17.Notwithstandinganythingtothecontraryinanyotherlaw,theprovisionsofsections25,26 and30oftheEvidenceOrdinanceshallhavenoapplicationinanyproceedingsunderthisAct. 18.(1)Notwithstandinganythingtothecontraryinanyotherlaw (a)astatementrecordedbyaMagistrate,ormadeatanidentificationparadebyapersonwho isdeadorwhocannotbefound,shallbeadmissibleinevidencenotwithstandingthatsuch personisnotpresentorcannotorhasnotbeencrossexamined;and (b)anydocumentfoundinthecustody,controlorpossessionofapersonaccusedofany offenceunderthisActorofanagentorrepresentativeofsuchpersonmaybeproducedin courtasevidenceagainstsuchpersonwithoutthemakerofsuchdocumentbeingcalledasa witnessandthecontentsofsuchdocumentshallbeevidenceofthefactsstatedtherein. (2)IfinthecourseofatrialforanoffenceunderthisAct,anywitnessshall,onanymaterial point,contradicteitherexpresslyorbynecessaryimplicationastatementmadebyhimand recordedbyaMagistrateorastatementmadebyhimatanyidentificationparade,itshallbe lawfulforthepresidingJudge (a)toactuponsuchstatement;and (b)tohavesuchwitnessattheconclusionofsuchtrialarraignedandtriedonanindictment whichshallbepreparedandsignedbytheRegistrarofsuchcourt,forintentionallygivingfalse evidenceinastageofajudicialproceeding. (3)Atanytrialreferredtoinsubsection(2)(b),itshallbesufficienttoprovethatthewitness madethecontradictorystatementanditshallnotbenecessarytoprovewhichofthe statementsisfalse. 19.Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofanyotherwrittenlaw (a)everypersonconvictedbyanycourtofanyoffenceunderthisActshall,notwithstanding thathehaslodgedapetitionofappealagainsthisconvictionorthesentenceimposedonhim, bekeptonremanduntilthedeterminationoftheappeal;

(b)anyordermadeundertheprovisionsofsubsection(4)ofsection14shall,notwithstanding anyappealmadeagainstsuchorder,continueinforceuntilthedeterminationofsuchappeal: Provided,however,thattheCourtofAppealmayinexceptionalcircumstancesreleaseonbail anysuchpersonreferredtoinparagraph(a)subjecttosuchconditionsastheCourtofAppeal maydeemfit,orvaryorsuspendanyorderreferredtoinparagraph(b). 20.NotwithstandinganythingintheCodeofCriminalProcedureAct,No15of1979 (a)theprovisionsofsection303ofthatActshallnotapplyinthecaseofanypersonwhois convicted; (b)theprovisionsofsection306ofthatActshallnotapplyinthecaseofanypersonwhopleads orisfoundguilty, byorbeforeanycourtofanyoffenceunderthisAct. 21.Everycourtshallgiveprioritytothetrialofanypersonchargedwith,orindictedfor,any offenceunderthisActandtothehearingofanyappealfromtheconvictionofanysuchoffence andsentenceimposedonsuchconviction. PARTVII SPECIALPROVISIONS 22.Anypersonwhohascommittedanyoffenceundersection296orsection297orsection300 ofthePenalCodepriortothedateofcomingintooperationofPartVIofthisActorhasabetted orhasconspiredtoabetthecommissionofanysuchoffencepriortosuchdate,inrelationto anypersonwhoisaspecifiedpersonorapersonwhowasawitnesstoanyoffencewhichif suchoffencehadbeencommittedafterthedateofcomingintooperationofPartIofthisAct wouldhaveconstitutedanoffenceunderthisActshall,notwithstandingtheprovisionsofany otherlawtothecontrary,betriablewithoutapreliminaryinquiry,onanindictmentbeforea JudgeoftheHighCourtsittingalonewithoutajury. 23.Theprovisionofsections8,16,17and18ofthisActshall,mutatismutandis,applytoandin relationtoanyact,orthetrialforthecommissionofanoffenceinrespectofanyact, committedbeforethedateofcomingintooperationofPartsI,IIandVIofthisAct,whichact would,ifcommittedaftersuchdate,haveconstitutedanoffenceunderthisAct:

Provided,however,thatnostatementreferredtoinanysuchsectionshallbeadmissibleunless suchstatementwasmadeafterthecomingintooperationoftheaforesaidPartsofthisAct. 24.AnypersonwhocommitsanactinorinrelationtoanyvesseloraircraftregisteredinSri Lankashall,ifsuchactconstitutesanoffenceunderthisAct,beguiltyofanoffenceunderthis Act. PARTVIII MISCELLANEOUS 25.WhereanoffenceunderthisActiscommittedbyabodyofpersons,thenifthatbodyof personsis (a)abodycorporate,everydirectorandofficerofthatbodycorporate;or (b)afirm,everypartnerofthatfirm;or (c)abodyunincorporateotherthanafirm,everyofficerofthatbodyresponsibleforits managementandcontrol, shallbedeemedtobeguiltyofsuchoffence: Providedthatnosuchpersonshallbedeemedtobeguiltyofsuchoffenceifheprovesthat suchoffencewascommittedwithouthisknowledgeorthatheexercisedallduediligenceto preventthecommissionofsuchoffence. 26.Nosuit,prosecutionorotherproceeding,civilorcriminal,shalllieagainstanyofficeror personforanyactorthingingoodfaithdoneorpurportedtobedoneinpursuanceor supposedpursuanceofanyordermadeordirectiongivenunderthisAct. 27.(1)TheMinistermaymakeregulationsunderthisActforthepurposeofcarryingoutor givingeffecttotheprinciplesandprovisionsofthisAct. (2)EveryregulationmadebytheMinistershallbepublishedintheGazetteandshallcomeinto operationonthedateofsuchpublicationoronsuchlaterdateasmaybespecifiedinthe regulation.

(3)EveryregulationmadebytheMinistershallassoonasconvenientafteritspublicationinthe GazettebebroughtbeforeParliamentforitsapproval.Anyregulationwhichisnotsoapproved shallbedeemedtoberescindedasfromthedateofdisapprovalbutwithoutprejudiceto anythingpreviouslydonethereunder.Notificationofthedateonwhicharegulationisdeemed toberescindedshallbepublishedintheGazette. 28.TheprovisionsofthisActshallhaveeffectnotwithstandinganythingcontainedinanyother writtenlawandaccordinglyintheeventofanyconflictorinconsistencybetweentheprovisions ofthisActandsuchotherwrittenlaw,theprovisionsofthisActshallprevail. [Section29wasrepealedbyAmendingAct10of1982,w.e.f.24July1979] 30.TheProscribingofLiberationTigersofTamilEelamandOtherSimilarOrganisationsLaw,No 16of1978,isherebyrepealed. PARTIX INTERPRETATION 31.(1)InthisAct,unlessthecontextotherwiserequires "competentauthority"meansanypersonappointedbytheMinisterbynameorbyofficetobe acompetentauthorityforthepurposesofthisAct; "cooperativeunionorcooperativesociety"includesanysocietyregisteredordeemedtobe registeredundertheCooperativeSocietiesLaw,No5of1972; "document"hasthesamemeaningasinthePenalCode; "explosives"hasthesamemeaningasintheExplosivesAct; "firearms"hasthesamemeaningasintheFirearmsOrdinance; "localauthority"meansanyMunicipalCouncil,UrbanCouncil,TownCouncilorVillageCouncil andincludesanyAuthoritycreatedandestablishedbyorunderanylawtoexercise,perform anddischargepowers,dutiesandfunctionscorrespondingtoorsimilartothepowers,duties andfunctionsexercised,performedanddischargedbyanysuchCouncil; "newspaper"includesanyjournal,magazine,pamphletorotherpublication;

"offensiveweapon"hasthesamemeaningasintheOffensiveWeaponsAct,No18of1966; "organisation"includesanymovement,society,party,associationorbodyorgroupofpersons; "printingpress"includesanymachinery,apparatusorplantcapableofbeingusedforprinting, lithography,photographyorothermodeofrepresentingorreproducingwordsinavisibleform, oranytypeorotherarticlebelongingtosuchmachinery,apparatusorplant; "publiccorporation"meansanycorporation,boardorotherbodywhichwasorisestablished byorunderanywrittenlawotherthantheCompaniesOrdinance,withfundsorcapitalwholly orpartlyprovidedbytheGovernmentbywayofgrant,loanorotherwise; "specifiedperson"means (a)thePresident; (b)aJudgeoftheSupremeCourt,CourtofAppeal,HighCourt,DistrictCourt,Magistrate's Court,PrimaryCourtoranyotherCourtofFirstInstance; (c)anyrepresentativeorofficialofaforeignStateoranyofficialorotheragentofan internationalorganisationofanintergovernmentalcharacter; (d)amemberofParliamentorofalocalauthority; (e)anymemberofacommissionestablishedundertheSpecialPresidentialCommissionsof InquiryLaw,No7of1978,orundertheCommissionsofInquiryAct; (f)juror,counselorofficerofcourt;and (g)anymemberoftheArmedForces,PoliceForceandanyotherForceschargedwiththe maintenanceofpublicorder. "unlawfulactivity"meansanyactiontakenoractcommittedbyanymeanswhatsoever, whetherwithinoroutsideSriLanka,andwhethersuchactionwastakenoractwascommitted beforeorafterthedateofcomingintooperationofalloranyoftheprovisionsofthisActinthe commissionorinconnectionwiththecommissionofanyoffenceunderthisActoranyact committedpriortothedateofpassingofthisAct,whichactwould,ifcommittedaftersuch date,constituteanoffenceunderthisAct.

[ThisdefinitionwasinsertedbyAmendingAct10of1982,w.e.f.24July1979] (2)AllwordsandexpressionsusedhereinanddefinedinthePenalCodeandnothereinbefore definedshallbedeemedtohavethemeaningsrespectivelyattributedtothembythatCode.