# Sri Lanka Faces Backlash Over Proposed Anti-Terrorism Legislation Rights groups and international bodies warn the new bill threatens civil liberties and democratic freedoms. - **Source:** [DW – Top Stories](https://www.dw.com/en) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3a4b2785-f016-4dc2-b538-3c8b3c00c59a ## Legislative Shift in Colombo The administration of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has introduced the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act to replace the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act. While the government claims the new law is essential for addressing complex extremist activities, critics argue it fails to address the fundamental flaws of its predecessor. ## Broad Definitions Spark Concern Human rights advocates warn that the bill features an overly broad definition of terrorism, creating significant legal ambiguity. Lawyers like Visakesa Chandrasekaram argue that this lack of clarity could lead to widespread violations of fundamental rights, as authorities may interpret the vague language to target innocent citizens or suppress political dissent. ## Militarization of Law Enforcement A major point of contention is the bill's provision to confer police powers upon the military. Critics emphasize that military personnel lack the specialized training required for criminal investigations or the protection of civil rights. This transition risks the militarization of law enforcement processes, potentially undermining judicial oversight and accountability mechanisms. ## Threats to Digital Expression Legal experts highlight that Section 9 of the proposed act could criminalize social media activity. Individuals sharing content deemed to be a terrorism offense face up to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment. This provision is viewed as a direct blow to free speech and democratic discourse within the island nation. ## International Human Rights Scrutiny The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged the government to align the legislation with international standards. Despite some minor improvements, the UN notes that the bill reproduces many shortcomings of older laws, failing to provide robust safeguards against torture, ill-treatment, and coercive interrogation methods. ## Economic and Trade Risks Sri Lanka faces potential economic consequences if the bill fails to meet international human rights obligations. The European Union has warned that continued adherence to these standards is a prerequisite for the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus, which provides crucial preferential access to EU markets for the country's developing economy. ## Constitutional and Judicial Challenges During a parliamentary debate on November 12, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne acknowledged that certain provisions were inconsistent with the national constitution. The Supreme Court has already reviewed the bill, outlining necessary amendments before it can proceed to a vote. Parliament has not yet scheduled a date for the final legislative session. ## Legacy of Past Violence The debate occurs against the backdrop of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 270 people and injured 500 others. While citizens acknowledge the necessity of security, many remain skeptical of laws that mirror the repressive tactics of the civil war era, fearing a return to arbitrary detention and state-sanctioned abuse. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dw.com/en/sri-lanka-rights-groups-sound-alarm-over-proposed-anti-terror-law/a-79932227?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-rdf — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._