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Promise Broken
Prevention of Terrorism Act
“Abolition of all oppressive acts, including the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and ensuring civil rights of people in all parts of the country” [pg 127]
- Despite this promise, the state has continued to use the PTA multiple times since coming into power. The Government informed OHCHR that 49 arrests were made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in 2025 (as of 23 May 2025.)
- Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, the former Head of Sri Lanka’s State Intelligence Service (SIS), was arrested in February 2026 by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Sallay’s arrest is related to ongoing investigations into the April 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. (The Morning)
- The draft Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), published on the Ministry of Justice website in December 2025, is the latest attempt by the government of Sri Lanka to repeal and replace the PTA. (Groundviews)
- Delivering a joint statement at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Sri Lanka Core Group called for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and urged stronger action on accountability and human rights reforms.
- They have stated that the latest version of the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill raises even greater concerns than previously. (The Newswire)
- Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara has said that the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB) is currently undergoing its final revisions. The drafting committee is targeting completion of the new framework by the end of March or April. (The Morning)
- The drafting process of the PTSB included a defined period of public consultation during which stakeholders submitted their observations and legal perspectives. As of March 2026, the Special Review Committee is reviewing the submissions and integrating them into a revised draft to launch a more acceptable version. https://www.themorning.lk/articles/kNSIxtekhgeFRWILhAEe