Civil society collective Justice for All has issued an urgent call for the immediate repeal of Sri Lanka's controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), while strongly rejecting the government's proposed replacement legislation. The organization warns that the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) would perpetuate rather than eliminate the systematic abuses associated with current anti-terrorism laws.
Strong Opposition to Proposed PSTA
Justice for All's statement, released from Colombo on February 7, 2026, represents a significant escalation in civil society opposition to Sri Lanka's anti-terrorism framework. The collective argues that the proposed PSTA fails to address fundamental human rights concerns that have plagued the PTA since its implementation decades ago.
The organization's position reflects growing concern among human rights advocates that cosmetic changes to existing legislation will not address the root causes of abuse. Instead of meaningful reform, Justice for All contends that the PSTA would legitimize and expand powers that have been used to suppress dissent and target minority communities.
Historical Context of PTA Abuse
The Prevention of Terrorism Act has been a source of international criticism for Sri Lanka since its enactment. Human rights organizations have documented numerous cases of arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearances under PTA provisions. The law has been particularly criticized for its broad definitions of terrorism and its allowance for extended detention without charge.
International bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, have repeatedly called for the PTA's repeal, citing its incompatibility with international human rights standards. The European Union has also linked trade preferences to meaningful reform of Sri Lanka's anti-terrorism legislation, creating additional pressure for genuine change.
Justice for All's intervention comes at a critical juncture when the government appears to be moving forward with the PSTA as a supposed compromise between security needs and human rights concerns. However, the collective's analysis suggests that this approach is fundamentally flawed.
Concerns About PSTA Provisions
While specific details of the PSTA remain under discussion, Justice for All's rejection indicates that the proposed legislation retains problematic elements of the current PTA framework. Civil society organizations have consistently argued that any replacement legislation must fundamentally restructure the approach to counter-terrorism rather than simply rebranding existing powers.
The collective's statement emphasizes that superficial modifications to terminology and procedure cannot address the structural problems inherent in Sri Lanka's anti-terrorism approach. These concerns include overly broad definitions of terrorist activities, excessive detention powers, and insufficient judicial oversight of security operations.
Legal experts have noted that effective counter-terrorism legislation must balance legitimate security concerns with robust protection of fundamental rights. Justice for All's position suggests that the proposed PSTA fails to achieve this balance, instead maintaining the status quo under a new name.
International Pressure and Domestic Reform
The timing of Justice for All's statement is particularly significant given ongoing international scrutiny of Sri Lanka's human rights record. The country faces continued pressure from the international community to demonstrate genuine commitment to reconciliation and accountability following decades of conflict.
Reform of anti-terrorism legislation has been identified as a key benchmark for measuring Sri Lanka's progress toward these goals. The government's approach to replacing the PTA is therefore being closely watched by international partners and could have implications for diplomatic relations and economic cooperation.
Justice for All's intervention adds domestic civil society voice to international calls for comprehensive reform. This alignment between local and international perspectives strengthens the case for fundamental change rather than cosmetic modifications to existing laws.
Path Forward for Legislative Reform
The collective's call for immediate PTA repeal raises important questions about the timeline and process for anti-terrorism law reform in Sri Lanka. While the government may argue that some form of counter-terrorism legislation is necessary, Justice for All's position suggests that starting from scratch may be preferable to modifying the existing framework.
This approach would allow for comprehensive consultation with civil society, legal experts, and affected communities to develop legislation that genuinely balances security needs with human rights protection. Such a process could help rebuild public trust in counter-terrorism measures while ensuring compliance with international standards.
The debate over the PTA and PSTA reflects broader questions about Sri Lanka's democratic transition and commitment to rule of law. Justice for All's strong stance indicates that civil society will continue to play an active role in holding the government accountable for meaningful reform rather than accepting symbolic changes that preserve problematic powers.
As this legislative debate continues, the government faces the challenge of addressing legitimate security concerns while responding to sustained domestic and international pressure for genuine human rights protection. Justice for All's intervention ensures that civil society perspectives remain central to this critical discussion about Sri Lanka's legal and political future.