June 25, LNW (Colombo): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced in Parliament today that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be repealed within the next few months, bringing an end to a law that has remained in force for 46 years.
Addressing Parliament, the President noted that the PTA was introduced as a temporary measure in 1979 but has continued to operate for decades despite repeated calls for its removal.
“The PTA was brought as a temporary law in 1979, but has remained in force over the past 46 years. There have been strong calls from the public to repeal the PTA,” President Dissanayake said.
He revealed that Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has completed the drafting of the new legislation that will replace the existing law. According to the President, final discussions on the proposed legislation have already been concluded.
President Dissanayake assured Parliament that the repeal process will be completed soon, marking a significant step in the government’s legal and governance reform agenda.