Colombo, 7 February 2026 — Civil society collective Justice for All has issued a strong call for the immediate repeal of Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), warning that the government’s proposed replacement — the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) — would further entrench abusive powers rather than dismantle them.
In a statement released yesterday, the group questioned the government’s failure to honour its long‑standing promise to abolish the PTA, a law widely criticised for facilitating torture, prolonged detention, and systemic impunity over more than four decades.
Justice for All said the renewed push for the PSTA has revived fears that the government intends to preserve, rather than reform, the country’s counterterrorism framework. “The shift in position — from repealing the PTA to introducing a new law that is far worse — is not only disappointing but begs the question whether debates around a replacement law are an attempt to persist with using the PTA,” the statement noted.
Concerns over sweeping powers in the PSTA
The group highlighted several provisions in the draft PSTA that it says would significantly expand state authority and risk widespread abuse:
- A broadened definition of terrorism and related offences, increasing the scope for misuse
- Removal of the PTA’s only minimal safeguard requiring arrests to be authorised by a police officer of at least Superintendent rank
- Broad arrest powers granted to the police, military, and coast guard
- Administrative detention and remand provisions allowing individuals to be held for up to two years
- Vastly expanded executive powers, including:
- Presidential authority to proscribe organisations and impose curfews
- Power for Deputy Inspectors General to seek restriction orders from Magistrates
- Authority for the Defence Secretary to declare “prohibited places” for 72 hours, extendable with judicial approval
“These are examples of the overbroad nature of the PSTA that entrenches powers for repression rather than dismantling it,” the statement said.
PTA still in use despite promises of reform
Justice for All also criticised the government for continuing to rely on the PTA despite repeated commitments — including during the 2022 Aragalaya — to abolish it. The group warned that this ongoing use risks normalising the very abuses the public demanded be ended.
The organisation reiterated its call for an immediate moratorium on the PTA, followed by its full repeal. It urged authorities to listen to victims of the law and ensure meaningful guarantees of non‑recurrence.
Appeal to political leadership
The statement called on the President, the Government, and the Opposition to demonstrate “genuine political will” to uphold human rights and the rule of law, emphasising that strengthening democracy requires abandoning repressive legal frameworks.
The appeal was endorsed by a number of prominent academics, lawyers, activists, and political figures.
Signed by:
1.Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda
2.Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, PC
3. Eran Wickramaratne
4.A M Faaiz
5.M. A. Sumanthiran PC
6.Bhavani Fonseka
7.Ermiza Tegal
8.Nadishani Perera
9.Jerusha Crosette – Thambiah
10.Ravinthiran Niloshan
11.Benislos Thushan