Sri Lanka faces international criticism over proposed NGO and counterterrorism laws

Human rights organizations and United Nations experts have raised alarms regarding two pieces of proposed legislation in Sri Lanka: the Non-governmental Organizations (Registration and Supervision) Bill 2026 and a new counterterrorism bill.

UN Special Rapporteurs warned that the NGO bill could restrict civic space by imposing extensive registration, reporting, and monitoring requirements. Under the proposal, NGOs would need to register with a competent authority every three years, with failure to do so resulting in fines of up to Rs. 1 million. Experts expressed concern that provisions allowing for the suspension or deregistration of groups based on perceived threats to national security or sovereignty could have a “chilling effect” on dissent and human rights advocacy.

Simultaneously, Human Rights Watch cautioned that the government’s proposed counterterrorism legislation fails to provide meaningful reform. Critics argue the bill retains powers similar to the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which has been criticized for allowing prolonged detention without trial and targeting minority communities. Concerns include broad definitions of terrorism that could encompass peaceful protest and insufficient safeguards against coerced evidence.