Sri Lanka, Oct. 1 -- The proposed new bill to amend the Penal Code, which seeks to criminalise corporal punishment, has been strongly criticised by a former government minister and President's Counsel as a move that could lead to "anarchy" and destabilise the country.

The government maintains that the bill, which Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya recently said does not target schools or teachers, is aimed at ending disciplinary methods that cause harm to students and providing legal punishment for such offences.

However, several factions, including the Chief Prelates of the Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters of the Siam sect, as well as the Amarapura and Ramanna sects, have already raised concerns, stating that governing by "imitation of...