Senior bishops of Sri Lanka’s Anglican Church have urged the government to withdraw a proposed anti-terrorism law, citing serious threats to civil liberties and human rights.
In a statement issued on 2 February, Bishops Dushantha Rodrigo of Colombo and Nishantha Fernando of Kurunagala criticised the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB), which is intended to replace the longstanding Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). They said the new law breaks President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election promise to abolish oppressive laws and safeguard citizens’ rights.
The draft PSTB was made public in December 2025, with the government inviting public feedback until 28 February. Critics warn that it grants sweeping powers to security forces, including the authority to detain suspects for up to one year without charge, conduct searches and arrests without warrants, and proscribe organisations or impose curfews at the president’s discretion.
“The PTA has, for 47 years, been widely criticised for misuse against dissenters, journalists, human rights defenders, and minorities,” the bishops’ statement said. The PSTB, they said, appears to continue many of the same abuses, with broad and vague definitions of terrorism that could criminalise ordinary acts.
Human rights defenders echoed these concerns. Ruki Fernando, formerly detained under the PTA, warned that both laws allow the executive to unilaterally decide who is a terrorist and determine punishments, including detention and restrictions. Nilanthi Sadeera, a Colombo-based activist, noted that the draft law could facilitate secret detention, delays in access to legal counsel, and lower standards for confessions—violating Sri Lanka’s constitution and the Convention Against Torture.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the government will review public feedback before taking further steps on the bill.
The PTA, enacted in 1979 and later made permanent, has faced sustained criticism from human rights organisations and the United Nations Human Rights Council for its repeated use against minorities, journalists, and political activists.
Based on reports from UCA News.
