Proposed Counterterrorism Law risks more abuses: Human Rights Watch

Urges Sri Lanka to uphold reform commitments, not draconian powers

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THE Sri Lanka Government's proposed counterterrorism legislation includes numerous provisions similar to the current abusive law and risks facilitating the same kind of repression, Human Rights Watch has said.

The bill does not meet benchmarks set out by the United Nations counterterrorism expert or comply with human rights obligations and commitments that Sri Lanka made to the European Union to benefit from trade arrangements under the Generalised System of Preferences, or GSP+.

The Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), published by the Ministry of Justice in December 2025, would replace the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which has facilitated extensive violations including arbitrary detention and torture since it was introduced in 1979. In 2017, Sri Lanka committed to replace the PTA with human rights respecting legislation as a condition for the EU to reinstate GSP+, but successive Sri Lankan Governments have failed to comply. In his party's 2024 election manifesto, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake campaigned for the "[a]bolition of all oppressive acts including the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and ensuring civil rights of people in all parts of the country." The proposed law falls short of meeting that pledge.

Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Meenakshi Ganguly said: "Ridding Sri Lanka of its abusive Prevention of Terrorism Act is long overdue, but this proposed law includes numerous provisions that would allow the authorities to commit the same abuses. The Government should impose an immediate moratorium on the existing law, and prepare rights-respecting legislation through inclusive public consultations."