Britain's new antiterrorist legislation that comes into force Monday has generated mixed reaction in various circles within Britain as well as internationally. While the British government has hailed the bill as a powerful means to curtail terrorism worldwide, opponents of the legislation claim it is Draconian and inhumane.
The case of Sri Lanka serves as the best example of the impact the law may have outside of Britain. The former British colony has been devastated by nearly two decades of ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority. Both the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil militants are now waiting to see the affect of the British antiterrorist law, which could substantially change the course of the conflict.
The antiterrorist law will broaden Britain's traditional definition of terrorism. It will include violent groups that are motivated by religion or ideology, and it will make it illegal for such groups to raise funds, possess information and use computer networks, such as the Internet, on British soil.