Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament today that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be repealed, with a Gazette notification expected in early September, and outlined a broad reform agenda covering constitutional, electoral, and human rights issues.
Responding to a statement by Opposition MP Mano Ganesan, Minister Herath said the government had appointed a committee to review the PTA, which is now finalizing changes to be completed by the end of August. “We will make the necessary amendments and finalize them before the end of this month, after which the gazette notification to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act will be published in early September,” he announced.
He emphasized that while the PTA is currently applied in a limited capacity, it is not being used to target any ethnic or religious group. Most recent arrests under the PTA, he said, involved Sinhalese individuals linked to drug trafficking and underworld crimes. The Act would soon be replaced by new legislation aimed at tackling organized crime, narcotics networks, and transnational criminal activity more effectively.
Beyond the repeal of the PTA, Herath outlined several key commitments:
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Provincial Council elections will definitely be held, ending a long political stalemate.
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A new constitution will be brought forward through a referendum in the future.
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The Cabinet has passed a five-year plan for national unity.
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Independent investigations have been launched into the Easter Sunday attacks, the killings of journalists, and other politically motivated crimes.
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Children’s rights and women’s rights bills will be introduced soon.
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The government will protect the rights of people with disabilities.
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For the first time, the state has formally recognized the Malaiyaha people as a distinct community with their own culture, with steps being taken to integrate this recognition into the legal and administrative framework.
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The government will not interfere in the Chemmani mass grave investigations.
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Foreign interference in Sri Lanka’s accountability processes is not required, as domestic mechanisms are being strengthened.
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He further assured that the government has not taken steps to systematically violate the rights of any individual for political purposes.
Herath said these measures reflect the government’s commitment to balancing national security with democracy, human rights, and reconciliation.
