The Ministry of Justice and National Integration has announced the appointment of a special committee to examine the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a controversial law long criticized for its impact on civil liberties.
The newly formed committee will be chaired by President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne and is expected to begin public consultations in May. It will also seek input from civil society organizations, as well as feedback from international institutions and communities.
A preliminary meeting on the proposed repeal was held on 11 April at the Ministry of Justice premises, led by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harsha Nanayakkara.
Minister Nanayakkara reiterated that the repeal of the PTA is a stated policy of the present government. He emphasized that any new legislation replacing the PTA must be capable of addressing modern terrorism-related challenges without violating constitutionally guaranteed human rights or internationally recognized freedoms of expression.
The Justice Ministry stated that successive governments have failed to show adequate commitment to legal reform in this area. The current committee has been instructed to identify key provisions for repeal and provide actionable recommendations within a short timeframe.
The PTA, enacted in 1979, has faced sustained criticism from human rights groups for allowing extended detention without charge and other due process violations. Repealing or reforming the Act has long been a demand of both local civil society and the international community.
