Sri Lanka Justice Minister denies arrests over hairstyles or tattoos

Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harsha Nanayakkara, has dismissed social media claims that a proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill would lead to arrests based on hairstyles, tattoos, or clothing. Addressing Parliament, the Minister clarified that the legislation does not contain the word “hair” and that personal expression remains a fundamental right.

Nanayakkara explained that Section 4(2)(c) of the Bill allows for the consideration of distinctive hand gestures, symbols, and tattoos commonly associated with criminal groups to establish a rebuttable presumption of membership in an organized crime syndicate. He emphasized that these physical traits alone do not establish criminal liability and noted that the approach aligns with international standards, such as those used in Singapore.

The government maintains that the new bill is specifically designed to dismantle organized crime networks involved in drug trafficking, murder, and abductions, rather than to target ordinary citizens. The Minister welcomed legal scrutiny, stating that the government has no objection to the proposed enactments being challenged before the Supreme Court.