The calls for the PTA’s repeal have gained traction both nationally and internationally, with growing support from various political factions. However, successive governments have yet to act on these demands.
Sri Lanka’s Lawyers Collective, a prominent legal advocacy group in the island nation, has voiced serious concerns over recent government statements suggesting that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) may be retained by the new administration. The PTA, enacted in 1979, has long been criticized for facilitating arbitrary detentions and human rights abuses, including torture.
In a statement released this week, the Lawyers Collective condemned the government’s indications that the PTA will remain in effect. “The PTA is widely recognized as a draconian law that grants expansive executive powers, typically reserved for emergency situations, and has been misused in ordinary times,” the group stated.
The Lawyers Collective highlighted that the act undermines fundamental rights such as protection from arbitrary arrest, torture, and freedom of expression. The organization emphasized that the PTA has resulted in profound suffering, particularly among minorities and those who critique the government. “Its implementation has instilled fear and enabled impunity against citizens,” they added.
The calls for the PTA’s repeal have gained traction both nationally and internationally, with growing support from various political factions. However, successive governments have yet to act on these demands.
On October 29, 2024, J M Wijebandara, the Director-General (Legal) at the Presidential Secretariat, stated that the government is not concerned with the PTA’s existence as a law, but rather its misuse against civil activists and journalists. He assured that the government would not tolerate such abuses, insisting that the PTA would only be applied based on “credible intelligence.”
Election Manifesto
Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath echoed this sentiment, mentioning ongoing discussions about the PTA’s future, but noted that any changes would likely come only after the new Parliament is elected.
The National People’s Power (NPP), in its recent Election Manifesto, pledged to abolish oppressive legislation, including the PTA. Given the public mandate received in the recent presidential elections, the Lawyers Collective expressed alarm at the government’s failure to reaffirm its commitment to repeal the Act.
The Lawyers Collective is calling on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to clarify the government’s stance on the PTA and to publicly commit to its repeal. They urged all political parties to unite in the next Parliament to ensure that Sri Lanka’s counter-terrorism laws align with human rights protections.
“If emergency powers are deemed necessary, they must be limited to times of declared emergency,” the group stated, emphasizing that such measures would help strengthen the rule of law and restore public confidence in governance.
As the debate over the PTA continues, the Lawyers Collective says it remains steadfast in advocating for reforms that prioritize human rights and the protection of civil liberties in Sri Lanka.
