Repeal PTA! Say No to PSTA!
Stand Against Oppressive Laws!

The Bill was drafted without any public consultation, and was gazetted on the same day the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill was tabled in Parliament. Following its publication, CPA issued a statement raising serious concerns that the Bill, presented as giving effect to st Transnational Organised Crime, would reintroduce many of the most criticised features of the Prevention of Terrorism Act under a different name.

In its petition, CPA contends that multiple provisions of the Bill, including those relating to the definitions of “serious crime” and “organised criminal group”, the offence of membership of an organised criminal group, restrictions on publication, powers of arrest, executive Detention Orders, bail, the admissibility of confessions and statements, and the obligation to provide information are inconsistent with the Constitution.

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) mourns the passing of Lal Wijenayake, senior attorney-at-law and one of the foremost figures of Sri Lanka’s Left.

Educated at Dharmaraja College, the University of Ceylon, and Ceylon Law College, Mr Wijenayake  devoted more than half a d civil society activism, as well as serving in elected office for a time as the Leader of the Opposition in the Central Provincial Council. Throughout that time, he earned a reputation for fearless integrity and steadfast commitment to principle, particularly in the defence of human rights, the rule of law, and Sri Lanka’s ethnic and religious pluralism.

He chaired the Public Representation Committee (PRC) during the early years of the Yahapalanaya government and, more recently, served as a member of the Executive Committee of the National People’s Power (NPP). Whatever the role, and whatever the political moment, Mr Wijenayake remained resolutely independent in judgement and unwavering in his convictions.

Most recently, he spoke out courageously against the NPP government’s Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution and the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill, citing the serious concerns they raised for judicial independence, human rights, and the rule of law.

Mr Wijenayake’s voice, distinguished by integrity, wisdom, and principle, will be deeply missed. At a time when Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the challenge of securing accountability while preserving constitutional government and the rule of law, his was a rare moral and intellectual compass whose absence will be keenly felt.

CPA is deeply concerned with the recent custodial death of a man who was arrested by the Homagama Police.

This is yet another stark reminder of the risk of unchecked police powers, the disregard for due process and the use of excessive force. CPA urgently calls for a swift independent, impartial and transparent investigation to establish the facts and ensure justice.

These concerns are heightened because the PSTA and the Prevention of Organised Crime Bill are presently before parliament. These proposed bills, if enacted into law, grant further expanded powers to the police with limited safeguards that are likely to lead to further abuse.

Since gaining independence, Sri Lankans have witnessed power shift from one government to the next, yet the fundamental rules governing this power remain unchanged. For decades, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) has been the preferred tool used by various governments whenever ng control. This pattern has been consistent: using these laws to imprison political opponents, detain journalists for critical reporting, suppress trade union strikes, and silence student activists demanding accountability.

When the current National People's Power (NPP) government came into office, one of their significant promises was to repeal oppressive legislation like the PTA. However, they have consistently failed to fulfil this promise and have even taken a step backwards by proposing a new law, the Protection of State Security Act (PSTA). Despite some minor adjustments, this new bill does not adequately address many of the PTA's problematic aspects. It reintroduces vague definitions that can easily turn a simple protest or minor incident into a severe security offence. This is concerning, as there is a history in Sri Lanka of institutions like the police weaponising laws such as the ICCPR and PTA to settle personal scores or make a point.

Laws are intended to address specific issues, not serve as a 'catch-all' net to intimidate the public. Ensuring the safety of a country does not require stripping away the basic rights of its citizens. True stability arises from clear, fair, and accountable governance.

Images by Chathuranga M Pradeep

CPA recognises that organised crime causes serious harm to individuals, communities, the economy and the rule of law, and that it calls for an effective, multi-pronged response. However, any lawmaking in this area requires careful consideration, transparency and genuine his has taken place. The Bill was drafted without any public consultation, despite its far-reaching consequences for fundamental rights and the criminal justice system.

Read the full Statement👇🏽
cpalanka.org/cpa-statement-…

The Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB), gazetted on 22 September 2026, reproduces the legal framework of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). PSTB 2026 maintains an overbroad definition of terrorism, grants policing powers to the military, enables executive ial oversight, restricts freedom of expression and association, and retains special evidentiary rules for statements made in detention.

Counter-terrorism laws must meet principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination. Temporary fixes erode human rights and safety. Withdraw PSTB 2026. Repeal the PTA. Initiate genuine reform aligned with constitutional guarantees.

📷 புலம்பெயர் தமிழ் மக்கள் இலங்கையில் முதலிடத் தயங்குவது ஏன்?
📷 இலங்கையில் முதலிடுவதில் உள்ள தடைகள் என்னென்ன?
📷 ஒற்றைச் சாளர (One-Stop or Single Window System) முறை என்றால் என்ன?
📷 மாகாண சபைகள் செயல்படாததால் என்ன பிரச்சினை?
📷 புலம்பெயர் முதலீட்டாளர்களை ஈர்க்க அரசாங்கம் செய்ய வேண்டியது என்ன?
📷 கொழும்பை விட யாழ்ப்பாணத்தில் பொறுப்புக்கூறல் அதிகமா?
📷 நிறைவேற்று ஜனாதிபதி அதிகாரங்கள் ஒழிக்கப்பட வேண்டுமா?
📷 நீதிமன்றத்துக்குச் சென்று பிணையில் வெளிவருவது அரசின் நாடகமா?
📷 பதவியில் உள்ள நீதிபதிகளின் ஓய்வு வயதை நீட்டிப்பது சரியா, தவறா?
📷 அந்நிய நேரடி முதலீட்டுக்கு (FDI) சட்டத்தின் முன் சமத்துவமும் நீதித்துறை சுதந்திரமும் அவசியமா?
📷 முன்னாள் பிரதமர்கள் நீதிமன்றத்துக்குக் கொண்டுவரப்பட்டுத் தண்டிக்கப்பட்ட நாடு எது?
📷 ஊழல் ஒழிப்பு, சட்டத்தின் ஆட்சி, அதிகாரப் பகிர்வு ஆகியவற்றால் புலம்பெயர் தமிழர்களின் முதலீட்டை ஈர்க்க முடியுமா?
மாற்றுக் கொள்கைகளுக்கான நிலையத்தின் (Centre for Policy Alternatives - CPA) ஸ்தாபகரும் நிறைவேற்றுப் பணிப்பாளருமான Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu (பாக்கியசோதி சரவணமுத்து) கூறுவது என்ன?
📷 முழுமையான நேர்காணலுக்கு: youtu.be/i0zt9VpYBYU
📷 கவனிக்க: இந்த நேர்காணல் முழுவதும் ஆங்கிலத்தில் பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. தமிழில் கேட்க விரும்புவோர் யூடியூப் தளத்தில் மொழியைத் தமிழுக்கு மாற்றிக்கொள்ளவும்.

PSTB – 2026 is deeply problematic as it seeks to build on the same problematic legal architecture of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). CPA thus calls on the government to withdraw PSTB – 2026 and immediately repeal the PTA, in line with its election manifesto, whilst it ess that can respond to long standing problems with the PTA and address security concerns in a manner that is consistent with the values of a democratic society.
Read the full statement here👇
cpalanka.org/cpa-statement-…

Applications for the 2026 edition of The Alfred Jeyaratnam Wilson Forum on Commonwealth Constitutionalism are now open!

📌Negombo, Sri Lanka
📅 7-8 December 2026

Check out the flyer for further details.

Apply now via the link here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, received the inaugural Advocata Freedom Award today for his work on good governance, transparency, and accountability in Sri Lanka.

He founded CPA, co-founded the Centre for Monitoring helped establish Transparency International Sri Lanka. He convened the Platform for Freedom, served on the Task Force on Reconciliation, and worked as a Commonwealth Election Observer in Malawi and Guyana. His work spans elections, anti-corruption, human rights, and peacebuilding.

CPA congratulates him on this recognition and wishes him strength to continue this work.

The Supreme Court today delivered a judgement on the petition filed by CPA (SC FR 256/19), and another connected case (SC FR 257 / 19 filed by Ms. Sandya Ekneligoda), setting aside the presidential pardon granted to Gnanasara Thera, in 2019 by then President Maithripala Sirisena. that this pardon was contrary to the provisions of the constitution and is therefore null and void. More details about CPA's case are available at cpalanka.org/centre-for-pol…

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Executive Director, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, have filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the Bill titled the “Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Act” [hereinafter the Bill]. The Bill, published in the Gazette of the public of Sri Lanka on 27th July 2026, was placed on the Order Paper of Parliament on 19th August 2026.

The Petitioners are seeking a determination by the Supreme Court that inter alia Clauses 11 and 17 of the Bill are inconsistent with Articles 3, 4, 10, 12, 13, 14A and 14(1)a of the Constitution and therefore requires approval by the People at a referendum.

The petition challenges the proposed changes on the basis that the independence of the judiciary is a foundational principle of Sri Lanka’s constitutional order and is protected by Article 3 read with Article 4 of the Constitution. The Petitioners rely on a string of authorities including, the Supreme Court’s determination in In re Inland Revenue Amendment Bill (SC SD 64–71/2022), in which the Court held
“…Any Constitutional amendment to the retirement age or the period of office impacting on incumbent judges, whether directly or indirectly, will impinge on theindependence of the judiciary and violative of Article 3 which requires a Referendum.”
The Petitioners concerns are also informed by the legal precedent that this would create which could enable the current or any future government to reduce the age of retirement of judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, hence the Petitioners argue that the need for a referendum is an essential pre condition to ensure judicial independence.
Visit cpalanka.org/?p=9478 to read the full statement.

The attraction of AI in legislative drafting is obvious. The institutional actors of the legislative process, within the executive and even more so in Parliament, are often under-resourced and face increasing demands for speed, complexity, and multilingual accessibility. AI tools ssist with legal research, identify inconsistencies, compare draft provisions with existing statutes, generate summaries, and automate a range of repetitive and time-consuming tasks. In principle, these capabilities could contribute to a more efficient and responsive legislative process.

However, the central question is not whether AI can improve drafting efficiency but whether the institutional environment within which it is proposed to operate is capable of ensuring its responsible, transparent, and accountable use.

Read the full statement here👇
cpalanka.org/?p=9472

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ බන්ධනාගාර නීතිය සහ පද්ධතිය අද සමාජයට ගැළපෙන ආකාරයෙන් ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණය විය යුත්තේ කෙසේද? බන්ධනාගාර තුළ පවතින ගැටලු සඳහා නීතිමය සහ ප්‍රතිපත්තිමය විසඳුම් මොනවාද?

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ බන්ධනාගාර නීතිය, රැඳවියන්ගේ අයිතිවාසිකම් සහ බන්ධනාගාර පද්ධතියේ ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණ පිළිබඳව නීති යක මහතා සමඟ සිදු කළ VOC Podcast විශේෂ සංවාදය.

සාකච්ඡාවට එකතු වෙන්න
youtu.be/JykATTovgqI

CPA Seminar on Judicial Independence is now available on YouTube.

Click the link below or scan/long touch the QR code to watch all three videos.
youtube.com/playlist?list=…