A broad coalition of civil society actors, supported by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), has issued a joint call for the Sri Lankan Government to immediately and unconditionally repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), rejecting any attempts to replace it with similarly repressive legislation.
The appeal, signed by over 240 individuals and organisations—including activists, trade unions, academics, clergy, lawyers, and former detainees—was addressed to the Minister of Justice in response to a newspaper notice issued on 16 May 2025. The notice gave the public only two weeks to submit comments on the proposed repeal of the PTA and the drafting of new counter-terrorism legislation.
Signatories criticised the short consultation window and described the process as lacking sincerity and meaningful public participation. They questioned the legitimacy of a reform process that appears to sidestep civil society, survivors, and minority communities.
The joint letter expressed profound disappointment with the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, which campaigned on a platform of human rights and transparency. A central promise in its election manifesto was the full repeal of the PTA.
“The unqualified promise to repeal the draconian PTA by the NPP is being hedged now that the Party is in Government,” the statement reads.
FORUM-ASIA echoed this criticism, warning that replacing one draconian law with another would constitute a breach of Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations and erode fundamental freedoms.
Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA, described the government’s current direction as a “dangerous regression” and said the drafting process appeared designed to entrench, rather than dismantle, authoritarian structures.
The civil society appeal also highlighted concerns over the composition of the drafting committee, which is dominated by state and military officials. The absence of representation from victims, independent human rights organisations, or marginalised communities was cited as evidence that the process lacks credibility and inclusivity.
Enacted in 1979, the PTA was initially introduced as a temporary measure to address armed conflict. However, it has remained in force for over four decades and has been widely condemned for enabling prolonged detention without trial, the use of coerced confessions, and sweeping executive powers.
Human rights organisations, including the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, have repeatedly called for its repeal. In 2022, the latter described the PTA as fundamentally incompatible with the rule of law.
The signatories argue that no replacement is necessary. They point to at least 15 existing laws under the Penal Code and other legal instruments capable of addressing terrorism-related offences.
They also note that Sri Lanka already operates multiple counter-terrorism bodies, including the Counter Terrorism Investigation Division, National Intelligence Service, and the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank.
The letter sets out five core demands:
- Immediate repeal of the PTA, with no delay tactics through legislative committees. A moratorium should be imposed on its use until repeal is formalised.
- Rejection of any new counter-terror law, on the grounds that the existing criminal justice framework is sufficient for addressing national security threats.
- Guarantees that future laws will not restrict civil liberties, including the rights to protest, assemble, and express dissent. The appeal warns against laws that grant unchecked powers to the executive or law enforcement.
- Expedited justice for current detainees, including presidential pardons, withdrawal of charges where no evidence exists, and immediate release of those not formally charged or detained based solely on coerced confessions.
- State reparations for victims of the PTA, including apologies, financial compensation, healthcare, and livelihood support. The families of those who died in custody should also receive formal acknowledgment and reparations.
The letter and FORUM-ASIA’s accompanying statement call for legal reform that is transparent, participatory, and rooted in the experiences of those most harmed by the existing framework.
FORUM-ASIA emphasised that any counter-terrorism initiative must not grant excessive discretionary powers or undermine the democratic right to dissent. Civil society actors have signalled that they will continue to resist any legislative moves that perpetuate the legacy of the PTA.
As Sri Lanka navigates its post-conflict democratic transition, the government’s handling of counter-terrorism legislation is emerging as a key test of its commitment to human rights, accountability, and inclusive governance.
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