The Council of Ministers has approved a new crime under the Penal Code, that of piracy. It does not apply in such cases as the ‘Alakrana’ or any act occurring before the law actually comes into force.
Under the new law, piracy is deemed to exist when, either at sea or in the air, one or more persons use violence to seize a ship or aircraft, attack crews and/or seize cargo.
Prison sentences for piracy range from 1 to 3 years if no violence is used, to 10 to 15 years for acts involving violence. Also under the new law, there are sanctions, including imprisonment, for those who, during any operation against piracy, resist or disobey any warship or military aircraft.