60 civil society - media orgs, TUs request President to repeal PTA and repressive laws

The Coalition against the Repressive Laws (CARL) comprised  of more than 60 civil society and media organisations as well as trade  unions and professional associations have requested President Anura  Kumara Dissanayake to repeal repressive laws including the Prevention of  Terrorism Act.   

In a letter addressed to the President the CARL has  requested to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Online Safety Act  and other repressive laws that undermine fundamental rights and  freedoms.   

Issuing a press release, the CARL members stressed that they  are mindful that the National People’s Power (NPP) and the Janatha  Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have historically opposed such laws and  consistently championed their repeal. The PTA remains widely recognised  as a draconian law that must be repealed immediately, and its continued  use represents a significant deviation from the positions previously  upheld by both the NPP and the JVP.   

In addition to the PTA, the CARL also strongly appeals for  the immediate repeal of the Online Safety Act, another repressive law  that severely undermines freedom of expression. “Over the past two years  and indeed for many years before, our coalition has, collectively and  individually, advocated for the repeal of laws that undermine  fundamental rights and freedoms.   

The continued use of provisions under the PTA to detain  individuals is therefore deeply troubling. These detentions are often  followed by charges filed under alternative legal frameworks. The PTA  remains widely recognised as a draconian law that must be repealed  immediately, and its continued use represents a significant deviation  from the positions previously upheld by both the NPP and the JVP. 

 
We urge you, as President, and your government to take  immediate action to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act in accordance  with your longstanding commitments”.