Tuesday Oct 27, 2026
Tuesday Oct 27, 2026
Tuesday, 27 October 2026 01:58 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has met representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations in Colombo to discuss concerns over proposed legislation targeting terrorism and organised crime.
According to a statement issued by the Opposition Leader's office on 25 October, the discussions focused on the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill and the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, with particular attention to their potential impact on fundamental rights, judicial independence and constitutional protections.
Former parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran, along with serving and former lawmakers, also expressed concerns about the proposed laws during the meeting.
Premadasa said legislation to combat terrorism and organised crime was necessary, but stressed that such measures must be accompanied by effective judicial oversight and safeguards to prevent the misuse of executive powers.
The discussions also addressed objections raised by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), which warned in a statement issued on 21 October that the proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill was “wholly incompatible” with the fundamental rights provisions of the Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.
The Commission cautioned that the proposed law could be more draconian than the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1979 and called for its withdrawal and substantial revision.
Key areas of concern included; provisions permitting confessions to senior Police officers, detention authorised by the executive, broad definitions of serious offences and limitations on judicial discretion in decisions concerning remand and bail.
The HRCSL has separately called for revisions to the proposed terrorism legislation, urging the authorities to adopt a narrower definition of terrorism, ensure judicial supervision of detention orders, guarantee access to legal representation and strengthen safeguards governing bail.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has also called for the withdrawal of the proposed organised crime legislation and the withdrawal or amendment of the terrorism Bill in its current form.
Premadasa urged the Government to make the recommendations of expert committees’ public and conduct broader consultations with the HRCSL, the BASL and other relevant stakeholders before proceeding with the legislation.
He said constitutional safeguards were important not only for politicians and activists, but also for ordinary citizens who might come into contact with the criminal justice system.
