# Sri Lanka: Rights groups sound alarm over proposed anti-terror law

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/sri-lanka-rights-groups-sound-alarm-over-proposed-anti-terror-law/
- Published: 2026-11-12T15:40:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T16:39:28+00:00
- Original publisher: DW (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.dw.com/en/sri-lanka-rights-groups-sound-alarm-over-proposed-anti-terror-law/a-79932227?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Topics: Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Sri Lanka proposes the PSTA to replace its controversial PTA.
- Rights groups warn the draft could threaten civil liberties.
- Some terrorism-related social media offences could carry up to 15 years.

## Summary

Sri Lanka’s government has proposed a new counter-terrorism law, the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), to replace the long-criticised Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Rights advocates say the draft retains serious risks to civil liberties, despite the government’s argument that stronger powers are needed to address extremist groups.

Critics point to a broad definition of terrorism, limited safeguards and powers allowing security forces to stop, search and question people on “reasonable suspicion”; the bill would also give police powers to the military. Lawyer Dhanushka Silva says Section 9 could expose some social media posts to scrutiny and carry sentences of up to 15 years. The UN human rights office has urged Sri Lanka to ensure the bill complies with international law, while a survivor of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings warns that counter-terrorism measures must not target innocent people or suppress rights.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.