Sri Lanka faces a dangerous legal gap as experts warn that repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act without a replacement could unleash organized criminals and drug traffickers back onto the streets.
Senior Professor and Attorney-at-Law Prathibha Mahanama Hewa has issued a stark warning that repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) without a proper replacement could open the door for organized criminals currently in custody to walk free.
He stressed that while the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act is in line with government policy and international expectations, it creates a dangerous gap in law enforcement unless a strong alternative is enacted. To prevent this risk, he urged the immediate introduction of an Organized Crime Act to specifically target organized criminal gangs and large-scale drug trafficking operations.
According to Professor Hewa, such legislation is essential to maintain control over serious crimes that continue to threaten Sri Lanka’s security and stability. Without it, the country could face an unprecedented surge in criminal activity.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced in Parliament on the 22nd that the draft legislation to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act will be gazetted in early September, in line with the government’s policy statement. The move is expected to trigger intense debate, as Sri Lanka weighs human rights reforms against the urgent need to protect society from organized crime.
