The draft “Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill” (PSTA), published by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Justice in December last year, aims to replace the 1979 Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and was opened for public comments until February 28. The rapporteurs warned that this provision, when read with Section 8, could effectively criminalise legitimate media reporting on security operations, police misconduct, or human rights violations. The bill also enables protracted detention for up to two years, including a full year of administrative detention issued by the executive branch. The concerns outlined in this latest report echo sentiments expressed by local experts since the bill was released in December last year. Secondly, she argues that all three proposed draft laws are, in key respects, worse than the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Source: Sunday Times February 14, 2026 19:48 UTC