Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Sri Lanka's new terrorism law advances as Justice Minister tables PSTA bill
Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has presented the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) to Parliament for first reading. The proposed legislation seeks to replace the decades-old Prevention of Terrorism Act that has been in force since 1979.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The new bill was tabled in Parliament on October 6, marking the first formal step toward replacing the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) No. 48 of 1979. The PSTA is designed to provide an updated legal framework for addressing terrorism-related offences while repealing the provisions of the existing statute that has governed counter-terrorism operations for over four decades.
The presentation of the draft legislation comes amid ongoing discussions about Sri Lanka's approach to national security and counter-terrorism measures. The introduction of a new act aims to modernize legal provisions while establishing clearer protocols for matters related to state protection and security operations.
The bill now enters the parliamentary process for further deliberation, with subsequent readings required before it can be enacted into law. The new legislation is expected to undergo scrutiny and debate among lawmakers as Parliament considers the framework for addressing terrorism-related concerns in the contemporary security environment.
The PSTA's advancement reflects the government's effort to reform counter-terrorism legislation and establish more defined legal structures for security matters. The outcome of the parliamentary process will determine how Sri Lanka's approach to terrorism-related offences evolves in the coming months.