The People’s Struggle Alliance has warned the government against introducing legislation that would reproduce the repressive powers of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, saying a change of government does not make oppressive laws democratic.
The alliance made the remarks at a protest against the existing PTA, the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) and the proposed organised crime legislation, the Daily Mirror reported.
Executive Committee member Rajkumar Rajeevkanth said the opposition was grounded in the need to protect human rights, democratic freedoms and the rule of law. The proposed legislation, he argued, could weaken judicial oversight and grant excessive powers to police and security forces, creating opportunities for arbitrary arrest, prolonged detention and rights violations.
The record under the PTA
Recalling the law’s consequences, Rajeevkanth said many people detained under the PTA had spent years in prison without being convicted of any offence. Some were eventually released after losing valuable years of their lives, with their families, livelihoods and futures severely affected.
He acknowledged that national security and the prevention of organised crime are legitimate responsibilities of the State, but said those objectives should never be pursued at the expense of fundamental rights or judicial independence.
He also expressed concern that political groups which had previously opposed repressive legislation were now attempting to introduce alternative laws granting similar powers — the alliance’s central charge, and the source of its warning about old powers under new names.
What the alliance is asking for
The alliance set out demands across the three laws:
- Repeal the PTA without replacing it with legislation containing similar provisions allowing arbitrary detention or excessive executive powers.
- Withdraw the PSTA in its current form, with any future counterterrorism framework developed through transparent public consultation and independent human rights review.
- Amend the organised crime Bill to remove provisions enabling arbitrary detention, disproportionate investigative powers or restrictions on fundamental freedoms without adequate judicial safeguards.
It further called for guarantees of due process and independent judicial oversight — including that every arrested person is promptly produced before a judge, informed of the allegations and given access to legal representation.
The alliance also demanded an urgent review of cases involving people held under the PTA for prolonged periods, seeking the release of those against whom there is no lawful basis for continued detention and timely proceedings for the rest. Rajeevkanth said independent and impartial investigations should be conducted into allegations of torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful detention.
Context
The protest came on the same day President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signalled that the government was prepared to amend three provisions of the organised crime Bill, including reducing the detention period from 72 hours to 48 hours. The President said he and his movement had consistently opposed the PTA and had no intention of introducing legislation similar to it.
The Supreme Court concluded hearing 26 petitions against the organised crime Bill this week; 22 petitions were separately filed against the PSTA Bill.
Not reported
The filing does not say where or when the protest was held, how many attended, which organisations make up the alliance, or whether any government representative responded. It does not record whether the alliance has made formal submissions to the Supreme Court in either set of petitions.
