Sri Lanka faces scrutiny over new anti-terrorism laws and political investigations

Sri Lanka is undergoing a period of significant legal and political shifts. Following the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the parliamentary mandate for the National People’s Power, the country is seeing investigations and judicial proceedings involving former presidents, a former First Lady, and senior police officers. While these developments are viewed by some as a long-awaited end to political impunity, others have raised concerns regarding the potential for selective investigations.

Simultaneously, the government has enacted new anti-terrorism legislation intended to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The new law has faced intense criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates. Critics argue that the legislation contains broad and vague definitions of terrorism that could allow the state to criminalize political dissent, suppress social protests, and curtail press freedom. Concerns have been raised regarding extended detention powers without sufficient judicial oversight and the potential for the law to be used to target activists and political opposition.