Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over Sri Lanka’s proposed counterterrorism legislation, highlighting potential risks of perpetuating the abuses seen under the current law. The new bill, known as the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), appears to replicate many of the contentious elements of the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which has long been criticized for enabling human rights violations. This legislation falls short of meeting benchmarks set by the United Nations, as well as commitments made by Sri Lanka to the European Union, which are crucial for maintaining favorable trade arrangements under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus JURIST.
The PSTA, introduced in December 2025, seeks to replace the PTA but retains provisions for extraordinary arrest powers, arbitrary detention, and search and seizure capabilities. Despite the promise of reform, the bill fails to address issues such as redress for arbitrary arrest, detention, and torture, provoking outcry from rights organizations. Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, has emphasized the need for international partners to press President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to fulfill his campaign promise of abolishing the PTA, rather than rebranding its controversial aspects into a new law.
Calls for repealing the PTA have been ongoing for years, with both local and international bodies urging significant reform. The harsh impact of such legislation on Sri Lankans cannot be overstated, as it has inflicted trauma across communities. Despite the international scrutiny and the National People’s Party’s 2024 election manifesto commitment to eliminating oppressive laws, doubts persist. Curiously, while the English version of the manifesto explicitly promised to abolish the PTA, this pledge is missing from the Sinhala version, prompting questions about the consistency of the government’s intentions.
Critics argue that the PSTA’s introduction could undermine Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations and hinder efforts to foster civil liberties. As the nation navigates its path on the global stage, the international community’s response will be crucial in shaping the country’s legislative future.