Repeal the PTA? A Debate Rekindled at Geneva — and at Home
Calls by several Western nations, led by the United Kingdom, to repeal Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) have reignited debate both internationally and domestically, with local human rights activists divided over the issue and critics questioning the consistency of foreign pressure.
At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Canada, the United Kingdom, Malawi, North Macedonia and Montenegro — collectively known as the Sri Lanka Core Group — reiterated that the PTA, originally introduced as a temporary measure under the government of J.R. Jayewardene, should be repealed. They further argued that the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill presented by the current administration could be even more dangerous than the existing law.
The Core Group stressed that any counter-terrorism legislation must be fully consistent with Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations. Until the PTA is repealed, they stated, it should not be utilized.
The statement also carries economic implications. The continuation of the European Union’s GSP+ trade concession depends significantly on maintaining a favourable human rights environment. During President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent visit to India, he reportedly met French President Emmanuel Macron and sought support regarding the extension of GSP+ benefits — a matter on which the European Union is expected to closely scrutinise governance and rights-related concerns.
However, not all Sri Lankan human rights activists are aligned with the demand for immediate repeal. Some argue that the current NPP government has not used the PTA to detain opposition politicians or suppress human rights activists — practices that in previous decades drew intense criticism.
They contend that blanket calls for repeal fail to account for the present administration’s conduct, noting that the law, controversial though it may be, has not been deployed as an instrument of political retaliation under the current government.
The debate has also been amplified in the local media sphere. A former BBC Sinhala language reporter, now writing in Sinhala for the online publication “The Leader,” operated by Ruwan Ferdinand,who has politically loyal to former un-elected President Ranil, has continued to publish articles critical of the NPP administration, particularly concerning the PTA. Critics of his commentary argue that while he previously wrote provocative pieces about Sri Lankans who travelled to fight in Russia, his recent legal analyses demonstrate a limited grasp of the legislative framework governing national security laws.
They suggest that nuanced legislative reform requires technical understanding rather than rhetorical advocacy.
Historically, Sri Lanka’s 30-year civil war, waves of suicide bombings, enforced disappearances in both the North and South, the infamous “white van” abductions, tyre-pyre killings in the South, and even the Easter Sunday attacks occurred while the PTA was in force. For some, this is proof that the law failed to prevent violence; for others, it underscores the complexity of counter-terrorism governance in a conflict-ridden state.
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), now a key component of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP), was once among the strongest critics of the PTA, having itself suffered under its provisions during past insurrections. The party had pledged to repeal the Act. Critics now argue that instead of repeal, the government is seeking to replace it with new legislation that may retain expansive executive powers.
Reconciliation and Institutional Reform
In their Geneva statement, the Core Group also acknowledged positive measures taken by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government toward reconciliation, particularly the decision to allow both sides affected by the war to commemorate their dead. The Group commended the President’s public stance against racism but emphasised that further reforms remain necessary.
A central concern highlighted was the need for strong and independent domestic institutions. Specifically, the Group urged the swift establishment of an independent prosecutor’s office.
For decades, Sri Lanka’s Attorney General’s Department has functioned both as legal adviser to the government and as public prosecutor — a dual role critics argue creates structural conflicts of interest. Over the years, allegations have surfaced of cases being withdrawn or prosecutions diluted, leading to public cynicism and the colloquial label “the Attorney General who withdraws cases” being attached to certain officeholders.
The call for an independent prosecutorial authority is not new. It has been a longstanding demand among reform advocates and was included as an electoral promise by the current administration. Yet implementation appears slow, and reports suggest that the Attorney General’s Department itself is resistant to the restructuring.
A Question of Moral Authority
The Core Group’s statement at Geneva was delivered by the United Kingdom’s Ambassador for Human Rights, Eleanor Sanders.
While Western governments raise concerns about Sri Lanka’s human rights framework, critics point to what they see as selective application of moral standards. They argue that the United Kingdom and Canada have remained largely silent over the prolonged conflict in Gaza under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and have continued arms sales to Israel despite mounting civilian casualties.
This perceived inconsistency has prompted some Sri Lankans to question whether those countries possess the moral authority to lecture others on human rights governance.
Nevertheless, even critics concede that the substance of certain recommendations — particularly regarding institutional independence and legislative clarity — merits consideration.
As Sri Lanka navigates the complex intersection of national security, reconciliation, and international diplomacy, the future of the PTA remains a defining test of the government’s reform agenda — and of its ability to balance sovereignty with global accountability.