A delegation of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is in Colombo. The SPT’s second visit, from 15 to 24 June 2026, takes place amidst the ongoing debate over the NPP government’s decision to bring in a new anti-terrorism law in place of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) enacted in 1979.

Some political parties, and civil society groups, have criticised the NPP move as the ruling party, during the presidential and parliamentary polls campaigns, promised to abolish the PTA.

The SPT conducted its first visit to Sri Lanka in April 2019, following Sri Lanka’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) in December 2017. Upon accession, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) was designated as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), under OPCAT, by the Government of Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Ministry said that the four-member SPT delegation was scheduled to hold meetings at ministerial level, and engage with senior officials of relevant ministries, departments and institutions. The delegation would also meet representatives of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and members of civil society, the ministry said.

“The Government of Sri Lanka will engage with the Subcommittee in an open, constructive, and transparent manner, consistent with its policy of continued engagement with the United Nations, and in fulfilment of its Treaty Body obligations undertaken voluntarily and enshrined in relevant international instruments, in accordance with the Constitution.

The delegation will comprise Ms. Aisha Shujune Muhammad (Maldives) (Head of delegation); Jakub Julian Czepek (Poland); Ms. Anica Tomsic (Croatia); and Nika Kvaratskhelia (Georgia). They will be accompanied by officials of the SPT Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.”