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Islamic organisations: PSTA more draconian than PTA

Published

7 months ago

2026/03/9

Fourteen Islamic organisations, in a joint letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, have said the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) is more draconian than the existing Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, which the ruling NPP pledged in its election manifesto to abolish without any replacement.

The organisations have warned that at a time when Sri Lanka is attempting to recover from economic bankruptcy, climate-related disasters, corruption and ethno-religious tensions, the introduction of such legislation could damage the country’s global image.

“In a country striving to promote self-sufficiency while attracting foreign investment, tourism and export growth, and fostering national unity, the proposed anti-terror law will project a frightening image of Sri Lanka internationally and should therefore be abandoned in the national interest,” the letter said.

Full text of the letter released under National Shoora Council letterhead: 14 Muslim civil society organisations urge President AKD to abandon PSTA in the national interest!

Fourteen Muslim national level community organisations in a joint letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake have told the President that the proposed ‘Protection of the State from Terrorism’ (PSTA) draft law is more draconian than the existing Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), which the NPP in its election manifesto pledged to abolish altogether without referring to a replacement!

The 28.02.2026 dated letter to President with copy to Justice and National Integration Minister Harsha Nanayalkkara states “In a country struggling to recover from economic bankruptcy, climate disasters, corruption as well as ethno-religious tensions and working towards encouraging self-sufficiency, foreign investments, tourism, exports and national unity, the proposed anti-terror law will give Sri Lanka a frightening image of the country globally and ought to be abandoned in the national interest.”

The NSC-led organisations have appreciated the need for laws securing national security of the country, but has pointed out that a large number of new laws with wide powers to the security sector have already been enacted and are sufficient to deal with terrorism. In addition, the Public Security Ordinance has conferred immense powers on the President and the forces to deal with any emergency.

The civil society organisations have also urged the government not to subjugate the national interest of Sri Lanka to those of any foreign power or deep state entities.

In the joint letter, the organisations have set out nine provisions in the PSTA as some of the reasons why the replacement draft is more draconian than the PTA.

“The following are some of the reasons:

NO MORE LEGITIMATE PROTESTS UNDER PSTA, AGAINST FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS OR INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS : PSTA seeks to protect not only the government of Sri Lanka but also “any other government or an international organization” preventing the people of Sri Lanka for example, (a) demonstrating to compel foreign governments such as China, the US, or India from continuing environmental pollution adversely causing climate change to the detriment of Sri Lanka or (b) protesting against arbitrary tariffs imposed by powerful countries to the detriment of Sri Lanka adversely affecting the cost of living of Sri Lankans. Such acts by Sri Lankans would constitute “acts of terrorism”, as proposed in the PSTA, which are anti-democratic and not found even in the draconian PTA!

PERIOD OF REMAND OR DETENTION UNDER PSTA DOUBLED INSTEAD OF BEING REDUCED: The Court of Appeal has held in a number of cases under the PTA that even one year in remand or detention without trial amounts to punishment contrary to the exception in Article 13(4) of the Constitution. But instead of reducing the period of state custody for a maximum of three months, the PSTA has extended the minimum period of state custody from 01 year in the PTA (amendment no. 12 of 2022) to a minimum of 02 years under the new draft, which two-year period for the judiciary to grant bail, can also be deprived of by a Detention Order from the executive official, the Secretary of Defence!

MASS MEDIA BROUGHT BACK UNDER THE TERRORIST NET ONCE AGAIN: The Print media, the electronic media, the internet, visuals and writings anywhere including private letters and social media, have been brought under the terrorist net supervision described in the PSTA as “terrorist publication”, with a possible jail term for violations, of a maximum of 15 years and/or fine of Rs 15 million! The PTA too had a provision prohibiting publication of terrorist related investigations or news with a maximum jail sentence of five years but this was abolished by PTA amendment 12 of 2022. PSTA is more draconian than the PTA, this being one of several instances in the PSTA of a platform for assault on the freedom of expression of the people!

EXECUTIVE SITS OVER THE JUDICIARY; DEFENCE SECRETARY’S DETENTION ORDERS OF SUSPECTS, CANNOT BE OVERRULED BY MAGISTRATES OR HIGH COURT JUDGES:Instead of totally scrapping the power vested in the “executive” namely the Secretary of Defence (earlier exercised by the President) and the Superintendents of Police to detain suspects in State Custody and instead of vesting the power in Magistrates in the “judiciary”, ‘Detention Orders’ can be issued under the PSTA by a Ministry Secretary depriving the liberty of subjects without hearing the suspects, unlike before Magistrates and High Court Judges who hear all sides in open Court to consider bail or remand.

DETENTION ORDERS(DO) BY SECRETARY DEFENCE UNTIL CONCLUSION OF TRIAL: Section 58 of the draft law enables the executive via Secretary Defence to detain a suspect from the date of arrest till conclusion of trial, making a mockery of the presumption of innocence until convicted and depriving the suspect of a fair trial.

INVESTIGATING POLICE EMPOWERED TO RETAKE PSTA SUSPECT REMANDED UNDER JUDICIAL CUSTODY BACK TO POLICE CUSTODY WITHOUT PRISON SUPERVISION: Section 58(2) of the draft law enables the Secretary Defence to remove a suspect upon issuing a DO from remand custody and keep the suspect in police custody without prison officials, placing the suspects in threatening circumstances even while the trial is ongoing, depriving the accused of a fair trial, provisions unheard of in the history of criminal trials!

This provision will alarm the suspects from complaining of torture while in custody!

CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS, TRADE UNIONS, POLITICAL PARTIES & RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS CAN BE BANNED BY PRESIDENT WITHOUT ANY DUE PROCES: PSTA empowers the President to proscribe (ban) any organization, without any judicial intervention; due process; inquiry or at least a show cause notice on the organization where the President has reasonable grounds to believe that any organization is engaged in any act amounting to an offence under this Act” (depends on the President’s belief only, without any due process or a conviction by a Court of law) “or is acting in an unlawful manner prejudicial to the national security of Sri Lanka or any other country” The PSTA gives exceptionally very broad powers for civil society to be threatened with being banned without being heard. This is a draconian power being given to the President who in his manifesto promised to scrap the Presidency altogether. This provision is a grave threat not only to the freedom of association of the civil society associations but also to trade unions, political parties and religious organisations!

NORMALISING EMERGENCY POWERS UNDER AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT: Curfew orders (sec. 64), Restriction Orders (64), Empowering the Armed Forces through PSTA (24) etc. are exercised by the President presently only in the extraordinary circumstances of a State of Emergency being duly declared! PSTA will empower the government to exercise emergency powers at the drop of a hat and will normalise the exercise of extraordinary powers as ‘normal powers’ adversely threatening peoples’ freedom, in the name of protecting them and paving the way for Sri Lanka becoming a Police State!

PSTA HAS NOT DEFINED TERRORISM but has categorized a large number of acts, open to multiple and inaccurate interpretations, as constituting “terrorist acts”. The PTA had only 10 acts in section 2, and more clearly and restrictively set out than in the PSTA. The proposed new law has an everwidening list of offences, naming them all as “terrorist acts”! We see the PSTA more draconian than even the widely condemned PTA.

We urge the Justice Ministry and the government to forthwith repeal the PTA and abandon the PSTA in the national interest as the recently enhanced laws are more than adequate!

1. National Shoora Council

2. RPSL Consortium

3. All Ceylon Union of Muslim League Youth Fronts (ACUMLYF)

4. All University Muslim Students’ Association (AUMSA)

5. Conference of Sri Lankan Malays (COSLAM)

6. Sri Lanka Jama’athe Islami (SLJI)

7. Khatheebs and Muazzins Association of Sri Lanka (KMA)

8. Salamah Society

9. Al Muslimaath

10. Centre for Islamic Studies (CIS)

11. Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF)

12. Ahadiyya Federation

13. All Ceylon Thowheed Jamath (ACTJ)

14. Association of Muslim Youth of Sailan (AMYS)

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Physical development must be matched by the enrichment of people’s inner lives through aesthetics and culture – PM

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/16

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that while a country develops its roads, buildings and economy, the inner lives of its people must also be enriched through aesthetics, culture and creativity. Development cannot be measured solely by improvements in physical resources, and the empathy and the appreciation of the arts is a key aspiration of the new era of renaissance.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while inaugurating the ’Aluth Wessa’ Cultural Festival and Exhibition, organised jointly by the Kandy District Secretariat, the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Kandyan Cultural Center on 15 October at the Kandy District Secretariat.

During the event, the Prime Minister also presented awards to artists from the Kandy District in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the arts.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister further stated: “Kandy is a place where we can best experience the value of our country’s historical, artistic and cultural heritage. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the wood carvings of Embekka, the murals of Degaldoruwa, the Kandyan dance tradition, and the contributions of renowned artists such as Pani Bharath, Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy and Minnette de Silva have helped shape a distinctive cultural identity unique to Kandy.

During the recent disaster, when the people of Kandy faced immense difficulties, people from districts such as Galle, Matara and Kalutara voluntarily came forward to extend tremendous support. Their empathy and commitment deserve our sincere appreciation. Following the disaster, several initiatives are already progressing rapidly to help Kandy recover and rebuild. These include restoring the Upcountry railway line, repairing damaged houses and rehabilitating historic temples that were destroyed through the Central Cultural Fund. Through our education reforms, we aspire to nurture a generation that goes beyond professional knowledge and skills, developing artistic sensitivity alongside human values and compassion.”

The event was attended by the Most Venerable Naramapanawe Ananda Thero, Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siyamopali Maha Nikaya and Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, along with members of the Maha Sangha and other religious leaders. Also present were Central Province Governor Dr. Suranga Fernando, Members of Parliament Jagath Manuwarana, Thanura Dissanayake, Thushari Jayasinghe and E. M. Basnayake; the Mayor and local councillors, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta, Divisional Secretaries, public officials, artists, parents, and children.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Review of the operations of the 1818 Hotline introduced to report drug-related information

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/16

Priyan

A discussion to review the operations of the 1818 hotline and progress made in its implementation was held on Thursday morning (15) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the chairmanship of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. The hotline was introduced as part of the ‘A Nation United’ national operation to eradicate the illicit drug menace.

The hotline was established to enable the public to provide security authorities with accurate information on drug trafficking, distribution and any related suspicious activities taking place across the country. Members of the public anywhere in Sri Lanka can submit information through this service, with the confidentiality of informants fully protected. The information received is acted upon promptly. Operating from the ‘A Nation United’ Media Centre, the service is coordinated under the direct supervision of the Presidential Secretariat and the ‘A Nation United’ National Steering Committee. It enables members of the public to provide information to security authorities securely at any time.

The discussion also focused on the first anniversary of the ‘A Nation United’ national operation, which falls on 05 November and measures to strengthen its effectiveness in protecting future generations from the drug menace and building a safe, drug-free society.

Venerable Madovita Vajira Buddhi Thera, Director (Piriven) of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Ravi Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Prince Senadheera, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya, Inspector General of Police, H. S. K. J. Bandara, Director General of the Department of Government Information, Gamini Senaratne, Commissioner-General of Buddhist Affairs, Chathuri Pintu, Director of the Department of Christian Religious Affairs, Y. Aniruthanan, Director of the Department of Hindu Religious Affairs and M. S. M. Nawaz, Director of the Department of Muslim Religious Affairs, also attended the meeting. A group of officials representing the tri-forces and other relevant government institutions were also present.

(President’s Media Division)

News

SJB: Govt. trying to reappoint Jayakody, who resigned from Cabinet amidst coal scam

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/16

Thilina Walpola

MP S.M. Marikkar

Marikkar claims coal losses more than twice Treasury bond scam

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The SJB has accused the NPP government of trying to create an environment conducive for the re-appointment of Kumara Jayakody who resigned on 17 April 2026 over a coal scam perpetrated in 2025.

Colombo District MP S.M. Marikkar Tuesday (13) alleged that Jayakody’s successor Anura Karunathilaka was spearheading the efforts at the behest of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Addressing the media at the Opposition leader’s Office at No. 30, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 07, Marikkar said that the NPP was busy propagating a lie that the losses amounting to Rs 15.68 bn could be entirely recovered by way of penalties and funds held as deposits in line with the supplier. The Opposition MP placed the amount held by the government at Rs 16.48 bn.

Marrikar claimed that the NPP’s propaganda project to whitewash Jayakody was meant to bring Jayakody back into the Cabinet of ministers in January next year. The top SJB spokesman said that the findings of the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Infrastructure and Strategic Development report on the losses suffered by the use of substandard coal had been used to back the government move.

The inquiry was held into procurement for 2025/2026 seasons made from Trident Chemphar, an Indian company whose selection was questioned by the National Audit Office in a special report submitted to parliament before the vote on no faith motion against Jayakody.

Marikkar said that the NPP in its haste to build a case for Jayakody’s return to the cabinet had conveniently forgotten that six of the 25 shiploads of coal ordered from Trident Chemphar were never delivered. In a desperate bid to cover the shortfall, the government paid Rs. 2,284 million above the market price in emergency procurement. As the SOC had rejected the tests conducted by an Indian company and ordered fresh tests on substandard coal, an additional Rs 26.6 mn had been paid to an Australian lab, MP Marikkar said, explaining other losses caused by the corrupt deal.

Marrikar explained how the procurement of substandard coal altogether cost the taxpayer nearly Rs 20 bn while the government engaged in a project to clear Jayakody. The former minister is also indicted in the Colombo High Court in an earlier corruption case.

Marrikar emphasized that the government should accept responsibility. Comparing the action taken in respect of 2015 and 2016 Treasury bond scams and the coal scam, MP Marikkar said that the losses caused by Trident Chemphar fraud was double the Treasury bond scam. A future government would investigate the coal scam and punish all those responsible. The NPP under any circumstances couldn’t bring back Jayakody to the cabinet as he was directly responsible for the fraud, the Colombo District lawmaker said.

At the time the UNP perpetrated Treasury bond scams, Marikkar represented the UNP parliamentary group which made desperate bids to protect the bond thieves.

The SJBer refused to answer questions regarding any other issue. Marikkar reacted angrily when a journalist sought to raise a group of SJB MPs meeting the Most Ven Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter in Kandy. Then the MP accused a section of the media of trying to suppress the coal scam by raising other issues. Marrikar vowed that they wouldn’t allow Jayakody’s return to the cabinet. The NPP government’s reputation had been devastated by the coal scam and current efforts to cover up the direct involvement of Minister Jayakody would not succeed, he said, warning the NPP should be prepared to face the consequences.