Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill
பயங்கரவாதத்திலிருந்து அரசைப் பாதுகாக்கும் சட்டமூலம் · a civic file
A record of what the gazetted text says and what has been publicly reported about it. This file reads the law; it does not give legal advice, and TLTE is not a party to any petition.
What the text says
It repeals the PTA after 47 years
The bill would repeal the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979. It was published in a Gazette Supplement dated 18 September and released on 22 September 2026, ordered by the Minister of Justice and National Integration. It must still pass Parliament.
Its reach extends outside Sri Lanka
The long title covers acts "committed within or outside Sri Lanka" and the prevention of use of the territory "and its people" for preparing terrorism abroad. Reporting states it applies to offences by Sri Lankan citizens abroad and to acts against citizens, missions and state property overseas.
Executive detention is retained
Reporting states the bill keeps executive detention of up to one year. UN special rapporteurs and rights organisations have warned it could reproduce the abuses of the law it replaces.
A broad definition and heavy penalties
Terrorism is defined by intent to provoke terror or compel a government or international organisation, to advance a political or ideological objective. Listed acts include death, grievous injury, hostage-taking, infrastructure damage and cyberattacks on critical systems. Penalties run to life imprisonment.
The challenge window
Under the Constitution, any citizen may challenge a bill's constitutionality in the Supreme Court within 14 days of it being placed on Parliament's Order Paper. That date has not yet been confirmed. This file will record it when it is published, and will not project it.
Public responses on the record
A signature campaign in Mannar Bazaar has called for the bill's withdrawal. Rights organisations and UN special rapporteurs have raised concerns about the retained detention powers.