Sri Lanka's new counterterrorism law retains abusive provisions, HRW warns

The Sri Lankan government's effort to replace its widely criticized Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) falls short of international standards, according to Human Rights Watch. The international rights organization said the proposed counterterrorism legislation retains numerous clauses that have historically facilitated serious human rights abuses.

Elaine Pearson, Asia Director for Human Rights Watch, stated that the draft bill breaches Sri Lanka's obligations under international law while jeopardizing the country's EU trade status. The concerns center on provisions that rights groups argue have been misused for arbitrary detention, torture allegations, and suppression of dissent.

Sri Lanka has faced sustained international scrutiny over its counterterrorism framework, with UN bodies and human rights organizations documenting alleged abuses committed under the PTA over several decades. The legislation has been employed against activists, journalists, and opposition figures, prompting repeated calls for comprehensive reform.

The proposed replacement represents the government's latest attempt to modernize its counterterrorism legal framework. However, Human Rights Watch's assessment suggests the new draft does not adequately address the structural safeguards and oversight mechanisms necessary to prevent future violations.