On 15 February 2026, the Aham Humanitarian Resource Centre (AHRC) organized an awareness and dialogue session in Trincomalee on the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), a new counter-terrorism legislation proposed by the Government of Sri Lanka.

The programme was organized to create greater awareness among civil society and other key stakeholders about the proposed legislation and to provide a space for participants to discuss its positive and negative aspects, particularly from a human rights and civic participation perspective.

The discussion brought together a diverse group of participants from Trincomalee District, including representatives of civil society organizations, human rights activists, families of the forcibly disappeared, and journalists. The participation of individuals from different sectors provided an opportunity to exchange views and experiences concerning the potential implications of the proposed legislation.

During the session, participants were provided with information about the proposed PSTA and engaged in discussion on concerns arising from the legislation. The dialogue provided an important platform for civil society representatives and other stakeholders to collectively examine the proposed legal framework and express their views.

Particular attention was given to the participants' concerns regarding the continued existence of counter-terrorism legislation and the potential implications of the proposed PSTA. The discussion also highlighted the importance of protecting fundamental rights and ensuring that legislation introduced to address security concerns does not adversely affect democratic participation, civic freedoms and human rights.

Collective Call for Withdrawal of the Proposed PSTA

Following the awareness session and dialogue, participants took a collective step to express their opposition to the proposed legislation. They signed a petition calling for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and demanding that the Government withdraw the proposed PSTA Bill.

The signed petition was subsequently prepared for submission to the Minister of Justice, conveying the concerns and demands raised by the participants during the dialogue.

The initiative demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where affected communities, civil society actors, human rights defenders and journalists can come together to discuss proposed legislation and collectively communicate their concerns to policymakers.

Through this programme, AHRC contributed to strengthening public awareness and civic engagement around an important legislative development. The participation of families of the forcibly disappeared, human rights activists, civil society representatives and journalists also emphasized the need for broad-based consultation when introducing legislation that may have significant implications for fundamental rights and freedoms.

The programme concluded with a shared call for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the withdrawal of the proposed PSTA Bill, reflecting the concerns expressed collectively by the participating stakeholders.

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