Sri Lanka to Repeal PTA This Year, New Law in Final Stage

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is set to repeal the long-standing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and introduce a new law within this year, Minister of Justice, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara announced today.

Speaking in Kilinochchi, the Minister confirmed that the draft of the new legislation has already been completed and is currently in its final stage, with preparations underway to present it to Cabinet and Parliament in the coming months.

“We will definitely abolish the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act and introduce a revised law. It is now in its final stage. Once it is presented, you will understand how much more progressive it is compared to previous governments, and how it has been designed to better protect the rights of the people. This law has been created solely to prevent terrorism and not to target any race, religion, or individual. Others only delayed while repeatedly promising to repeal it. Now, we have completed the draft, and we are ready to present it to the Cabinet and Parliament. I believe we will be able to present it within the next two to three months. Therefore, the old PTA will definitely be repealed and a new law will be introduced within this year.”

The Minister emphasized that the proposed law has been carefully formulated to strike a balance between national security and the protection of fundamental rights.

He further noted that previous administrations had delayed acting on promises to repeal the PTA, whereas the current government has moved decisively to complete the drafting process and advance the legislation toward enactment.