Is the new bill intended to preserve the Prevention of Terrorism Act? – Universal Justice Organisation

08-Feb-2026

.

The Universal Justice Organisation has questioned whether the proposed new law intended to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is actually an attempt to preserve its application. The organisation has called for the immediate repeal of the PTA and expressed total opposition to the newly proposed bill.

The government has taken steps to introduce a new law titled the “Protection of the State from Terrorism Act” to replace the existing PTA of 1979. The draft bill has been published on the Justice Ministry’s official website, and Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has invited public comments before the 28th of this month.

A statement signed by several legal experts and public figures stressed that the PTA has contributed to a culture of impunity for nearly four decades and warned that any replacement law could perpetuate similar conditions. The organisation questioned the government’s election promise to fully repeal the PTA.

The group also noted that support for repealing the PTA grew significantly during the 2022 Aragalaya protest movement. It expressed disappointment that the current government has shifted from repeal to replacement.

The statement called for the immediate suspension of the PTA until it is repealed and urged all political parties to demonstrate genuine commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and strengthening democracy.