Sri Lanka, Oct. 20 -- Former Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President and President's Counsel Saliya Pieris has questioned the safeguards in the proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, warning that its broad provisions could expose ordinary citizens to arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention.

Responding to Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara's explanation of the bill in Parliament on Tuesday (20), Pieris raised concerns over provisions referring to tattoos, clothing and other characteristics associated with organised criminal groups.

He questioned who would decide whether a person's appearance resembled that of members of such groups, arguing that police officers would initially make these assessments while exercising exte...