Source: Situation of Human Rights in Sri Lanka, Comprehensive Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, August 2025.
21. Despite pledges by the Government to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, its
continued use has led to further arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions without charge or trial. During the reporting period, individuals, mainly from Tamil and Muslim communities, were arrested and detained, including for participating or being involved in organization of memorialization activities or protests. In one high-profile case, a 23-year-old Muslim youth was arrested in March 2025 and subsequently detained under the law for pasting stickers in a shopping mall criticizing Israel. Following widespread public criticism, he was released on bail in April 2025 with a series of restrictions, which have since been lifted.
22. The Government informed OHCHR that 49 arrests were made under the Prevention
of Terrorism Act in 2025 (as of 23 May), while 38 arrests were made in the full year of 2024. Regarding individuals awaiting charges or trial as of May 2025, the Government informed that 18 were currently held under Detention Orders; 22 individuals were on remand by Magistrate’s Courts, while 40 others had been indicted and were held on remand by orders of the High Court. OHCHR received information from other sources that there were 12 individuals serving prison sentences for convictions under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. In terms of releases, the Government indicated that 23 individuals were released in 2024 and that as of 23 May 2025, 21 further individuals had been released..