Sri Lanka Gazettes New Anti-Terror Bill with Court Oversight to Replace PTA 📈

• Key Reforms & Repeal: Sri Lanka has gazetted the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill to repeal and replace the 1979 Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The new law introduces enhanced judicial oversight, clear detention limits, and safeguards for media and public dissent. • Detention & Oversight: Suspects must appear before a magistrate within 48 hours. Detention orders by the Defence Ministry are limited to 2 months at a time, requiring High Court approval for extensions, with total detention capped at 1 year. An Independent Review Committee headed by a retired judge will review detention orders. • Penalties & Protections: Offences causing death carry life imprisonment, while other offences attract up to 20 years imprisonment and fines up to Rs. 20 Mn. Protests, civil dissent, and journalism (media & publishing) are explicitly protected from being treated as terrorist acts. • Implementation: Existing PTA cases will continue under transitional provisions until Parliament debates and approves the bill into law.