“We are not a government that stays in power through laws and regulations.”

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says his government will not use legislation to remain in power and will be ready to step down if the people decide to vote it out of office at an election.

Addressing a gathering of religious leaders, Sri Lanka President @anuradisanayake says that those provided protection by organised criminals and rights groups are opposed to the Prevention of Organized Crimes Bill, less than a week after UN experts raised the alarm about the POCB

//Once a bad law is enacted, even provisionally, it will be difficult to get rid of it. If you try, it will devour you. That is the basic lesson the #NPP must learn from the terrible story of the #PTA and the legislations of impunity in the past.// dailynews.lk/2026/11/06/gen…

.@anuradisanayake says 2 groups are opposing legal reforms. 'One group is protected and funded by crime gangs. There is no point in reasoning with them,' he said. The second group consists of genuine rights advocates, with whom he is willing to negotiate.
monetabrief.com/news/sri-lanka…

Former spy chief Suresh Sallay and three others yet to be named organised the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, the CID told the Colombo Fort magistrate.

Former Sri Lanka Spy Chief Organised Easter Blasts With Three Others monetabrief.com/news/former-sr…

Ceylon Chamber urges review of proposed laws to safeguard GSP+ benefits

Full Story: newswire.lk/ywug

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.

Can a future president ban #JVP using the proposed Protection of State from Terrorism (PST) bill? @bfonseka in this interview with @InsightNews_SL says it is possible. Subcribe Insight News YouTube Channel and Watch the full interview: youtu.be/kd3lMgrM0yA?si…

Why all those who value democracy should be alarmed by two bills- the PSTA & the Organised Crime Bill- that reproduces worrying provisions to continue abusive practices. Not the system change many had demanded in #SriLanka

//…the Dissanayake gov…pledged to repeal the PTA. Both bills presented in October replicate some of the worst aspects of the PTA, shifting abusive provisions to create parallel legal structures outside existing criminal law and without basic safeguards// hrw.org/news/2026/10/2…

The proposed law, alongside the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill reproduces abusive provisions in existing counterterrorism laws that would allow continuing abuses that the government had pledged to end

#SriLanka #PTA #PSTA

@hrw
@meeganguly
@PearsonElaine

Another good editorial re recent events in #SriLanka but have lessons been learnt?

"Sri Lanka has spent centuries placating demons. The surest way to make them redundant is to give its people fewer reasons to call on them"

Placating demons still ft.lk/ft_view__edito…

@BASLSl urges Sri Lanka police chief to ensure an immediate, impartial, transparent and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 29 years old father of two, Ishara Harshakumara, who died in Homagama police custody on October 25.

The saffron robe deserves respect when it represents the Dhamma. It deserves no immunity when it is used to intimidate, threaten or obstruct justice #SriLanka

Is saffron robe above the law? ft.lk/ft_view__edito…

'We Can Arrest Someone Who Accidentally Follows The Fashion Guidelines Of A Criminal Gang'; Justice Minster. #lka #NewsCurry

Ganasara thera has evaded acceptability for his criminal acts (threats / assualt etc..) for years.. his role in the Aluthgama riots in 2014 (the speech he made) & in fermenting anti Muslims sentiments between 2011 - 2014 was never adequately investigated (1/5)

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Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra has announced that the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa.

In a statement issued on social media, the Deputy Minister said the Saudi Supreme Court had imposing the death penalty on October 13, 2026.

Hemachandra described the development as a major relief for Sivarasa, saying it followed sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by the Sri Lankan government.

The Deputy Minister expressed his appreciation to the Saudi Arabian government for its cooperation in the matter.

He also thanked Sri Lanka’s ambassador, the secretary and officials of the Foreign Ministry, the chairman and members of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and the Sri Lankan and Saudi legal teams for their efforts.

The announcement marks a significant development in Sivarasa’s legal case, although further details regarding his legal status and the next steps in the proceedings have not been disclosed.(Newswire)

Protest held in Colombo demanding withdrawal of proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill ift.tt/n6UfKTx