Dilrook Kannangara

Calls to repeal Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) ignore a crucial reality: the PTA is the only legal framework that grants enforceable rights to terrorism suspects while allowing the state to combat violent extremism. Removing it would not end counter‑terrorism efforts—it would simply push them outside the law.

Without the PTA, the government, security forces, people and non-state actors will still act against terrorists, but through extra‑judicial methods with no oversight, no judicial review, and no accountability. Sri Lanka has a long history of such practices when required, and the absence of a legal mechanism like the PTA would leave suspects with fewer protections, not more.

The PTA was introduced in 1979 after the Tamil terrorist attack on an Air Ceylon flight bound to London from Ratmalana. It did not create counter‑terrorism operations; it regulated them. Repealing it would be like removing gloves in a boxing match—actions will continue, but with far harsher consequences for suspects and terrorists. National security does not pause for anyone and anything. Only the means change, not the action.