Sri Lanka: Counterterrorism Bill Retains Abusive Powers

Click to expand Image A police officer holds handcuffs as he walks inside a court premises in Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 6, 2026. © 2026 Thilina Kaluthotage/Reuters (Brussels) – The Sri Lankan government’s latest attempt to replace its abusive Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) retains numerous provisions that have enabled serious human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said today. The proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB), which will be sent to Parliament on October 6,