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All activities posing a threat to national security, with the on-going war in the north of Sri Lanka, have been banned by a special Gazette notification, with effect from midnight Wednesday, sources said. This comes in the wake of the government's decision to place the country on a war footing. "The Public Security Act was enforced with effect from midnight Wednesday to ban all activities designed to encourage terrorism and disrupt the normal activities of people", a leading daily newspaper reported recently. President Kumaratunga has issued this special Gazette notification in accordance with chapter 40 of the Public Security Ordinance. According to this Ordinance the President is empowered to appoint an appropriate officer to handle essential services and that person would be vested with the authority to acquire any land or property. CNN reports indicate that the government could also stop the sale and distribution of newspapers considered contravening national security interests and shut down printing presses. Under these circumstances, any individual or printing press, which violates these regulations, could be taken into custody. This power has been vested on the Police and the three Armed Forces. Any person violating this law could make a confession and they will be subject to rehabilitation. The Gazette notification also indicates, the authority will be vested with sufficient power to acquire any ships, aircrafts and vehicles and seize buildings for offences committed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The Authority can also procure the services of any individual who is deemed to be required for the discharge of essential services. The notification has imposed regulations, which restrict, the holding of meetings, processions statements and the transport of firearms. The printing and distribution of newspapers and other material, which could pose a threat to national security, are also prohibited. Attempts to cause trouble to the government or attempts at assassinating the President, Members of Parliament or members of the Armed Forces, destruction of property and conducting meetings illegally are all punishable offences. Denigrating the President, the Government, the Constitution and the Judiciary are strictly punishable offences. Being in the possession of any banner or poster, which could pose a threat to national security, is also a violation of the law. Conducting strikes and instigating persons to do so is also an offence. Under the circumstance the government is empowered to freeze the bank accounts of such persons. The prevention of railway, postal and hospital services is
also considered an offence. The punishments in relation to these offences
have been listed in the Public Security Ordinance. Accordingly, the Police and the three Armed Forces have been given the authority to probe, arrest and keep in custody such offenders.
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