By The Pulseline News Desk
The Government has amended controversial provisions contained in the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), including those relating to the definition of “terrorism” and the detention of suspects, Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.
Speaking at the weekly Cabinet decisions briefing, Jayatissa has said the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) had been drafted with the aim of addressing longstanding concerns surrounding the PTA.
Responding to a question on whether provisions that have attracted criticism, including the detention of suspects for extended periods without a detention order and the interpretation of “terrorism”, had been addressed, the Minister has said all such provisions had been amended.
“There has been a debate in society for decades about the need to abolish the PTA,” Jayatissa has said, noting that the Government also recognised the need to retain legal provisions to deal with organised crime and threats to national security.
The Cabinet on Monday (17) had approved the publication and submission to Parliament of the new Bill titled the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act, which is intended to replace the existing Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979.
The Government says the proposed legislation is aimed at addressing shortcomings in the existing legal framework while introducing a new mechanism to protect the State from terrorism and related threats.
The move follows years of debate over the PTA, which has faced criticism over provisions relating to arrest, detention and the broad interpretation of terrorism.
A Technical Expert Committee was previously appointed to prepare a preliminary draft of the proposed replacement legislation. Following the preparation of the draft, Cabinet granted in-principle approval on August 10, 2026, to proceed with the introduction of the new Act.
A Bill subsequently prepared by the Legal Draftsman received clearance from the Attorney General, allowing the Government to proceed with the formal legislative process.
Accordingly, Cabinet had approved the proposal submitted by Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to publish the Bill in the Government Gazette and subsequently present it to Parliament for approval.
The Government’s decision represents a major step towards replacing the PTA, which has remained on Sri Lanka’s statute book for more than four decades.
However, the proposed legislation will now face parliamentary scrutiny, where its provisions are expected to come under close examination, particularly those dealing with terrorism, arrest and detention powers and safeguards for individual rights.
The Government maintains that the new framework is intended to correct weaknesses in the existing law while ensuring that authorities retain the necessary powers to respond to terrorism and organised crime.
The extent to which the proposed Act addresses longstanding concerns over the PTA will ultimately depend on the detailed provisions of the Bill and the safeguards built into its implementation.
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