EU proposes moratorium on PTA, till Sri Lanka’s new law comes into force
- CNL Reporter
- April 21, 2025
- Political
- EU, PTA
- 0 Comments
The European Union (EU) has inquired about a possible moratorium on the invocation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) until it is repealed to be replaced by a new anti-terrorism law, but the government has not yet discussed it,.
The EU, along with other Western powers, has called for the repeal of the PTA which is cited as a draconian piece of legislation.The representatives of the EU, in their recent meetings with the government, has also inquired about a moratorium.
The repeal of PTA is also a precondition put forward for Sri Lanka to qualify for the GSP plus (+) trade facility when exporting to the markets in the EU region.The previous government imposed a moratorium on the PTA implementation. It introduced an anti- terrorism bill (ATB) to be enacted. The EU was not happy with that bill either, citing it even more draconian.
The new government has started invoking the provisions of the PTA.Asked whether the government will consider a moratorium, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said,” The government is yet to discuss it,”However, he said the PTA will be scrapped and a new law introduced in its place ‘soon’.
