The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has raised serious concerns over Sri Lanka's proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism legislation, calling on Colombo to undertake significant revisions before the bill is passed into law. The UN body warns that the draft legislation, as currently written, poses substantial risks to fundamental freedoms, civil liberties, and internationally recognized human rights standards — concerns that have also been echoed by local civil society groups, legal experts, and opposition politicians across the island nation.
What Is the Proposed Law?
Sri Lanka's government has been working to replace the long-criticized Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a decades-old piece of legislation that has faced sustained international scrutiny for enabling arbitrary detention, alleged torture, and the suppression of dissent. The new bill, titled the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act, was presented as a modernized and more rights-compliant alternative. However, critics argue that the replacement legislation carries many of the same flaws as its predecessor — and in some respects may introduce new avenues for abuse.
The proposed law grants broad powers to security forces, including extended periods of detention without charge, sweeping surveillance authorities, and vaguely worded definitions of what constitutes a terrorist act. Human rights advocates have long warned that loosely defined terrorism laws can be weaponized against journalists, activists, minority communities, and political opponents rather than genuine security threats.
UN's Key Concerns
The OHCHR's assessment identifies several critical areas where the proposed legislation falls short of international human rights law. Among the most pressing concerns is the overly broad definition of terrorism contained within the bill. The UN body stresses that such definitions must be precise and narrowly tailored to avoid criminalizing legitimate forms of protest, peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression.
The UN also flagged provisions that would allow for prolonged detention of suspects without adequate judicial oversight. International human rights standards require that individuals detained on terrorism-related suspicions must have prompt access to legal counsel and be brought before an independent judicial authority without undue delay. The current draft, according to OHCHR, does not sufficiently guarantee these protections.
Additionally, the office expressed concern about provisions that could restrict the work of civil society organizations, journalists, and human rights defenders. In a country with a complex history of conflict and post-war reconciliation challenges, the UN emphasized that space for independent voices and accountability mechanisms must be preserved rather than curtailed.
Calls for Major Revisions
The OHCHR has formally called on Sri Lankan authorities to undertake comprehensive revisions to the bill in full consultation with civil society, affected communities, legal professionals, and independent human rights experts. The UN body stressed that any counter-terrorism framework must strike a careful balance between legitimate national security objectives and the protection of fundamental rights guaranteed under international law.
The office urged the Sri Lankan parliament to ensure that any final version of the law includes robust judicial oversight mechanisms, clear and narrow definitions of terrorism-related offenses, explicit prohibitions on torture and ill-treatment, and strong safeguards against the arbitrary use of detention powers. The UN also recommended that the government establish independent monitoring bodies to oversee the law's implementation and investigate any allegations of abuse.
Domestic Reactions
Within Sri Lanka, the proposed legislation has sparked considerable debate. Opposition parties have questioned whether the new bill represents a genuine departure from the controversial PTA or simply repackages the same problematic powers under a new name. Tamil and Muslim minority communities, who have historically borne the brunt of anti-terrorism legislation in Sri Lanka, have expressed particular alarm about the potential for discriminatory enforcement.
Legal professionals and bar associations have also weighed in, calling for greater transparency in the drafting process and more meaningful public consultations. Several prominent human rights organizations operating in the country have issued statements supporting the UN's assessment and urging the government to heed international recommendations before proceeding further with the legislation.
Sri Lanka's Broader Human Rights Context
This development comes against the backdrop of ongoing international scrutiny of Sri Lanka's human rights record, particularly regarding accountability for alleged violations committed during the final stages of the civil war that ended in 2009. The country has faced repeated calls from the UN Human Rights Council to advance transitional justice processes and demonstrate credible progress on reconciliation.
The passage of a flawed anti-terrorism law at this juncture could further strain Sri Lanka's relationship with international partners and human rights bodies, potentially complicating the country's efforts to attract foreign investment and secure economic assistance as it continues to recover from a severe financial crisis.
Looking Ahead
The Sri Lankan government has yet to formally respond to the OHCHR's detailed recommendations. Observers and rights groups will be closely watching whether Colombo chooses to engage constructively with the UN's concerns or presses ahead with the legislation in its current form. The outcome will serve as a significant indicator of the government's commitment to upholding human rights standards while addressing legitimate national security challenges in a post-conflict society.