Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has come under fire after authorising a 90-day detention order under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against 22-year-old Mohamad Liyauudeen Mohamad Rusdi, sparking concern from human rights advocates and Muslim organisations.
The detention order, signed by Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Defence on 25 March 2025, states that Rusdi is suspected of “associating with members of extremist or terrorist organisations,” being “motivated by extremist ideologies,” and “acting in a manner detrimental to peace and harmony among communities.” The document also accuses him of “knowingly concealing such information from security forces,” but does not cite any specific offence or provide evidence.
Rusdi was arrested on 22 March in Colombo. Nearly two weeks after his arrest, Sri Lankan authorities have yet to present any credible evidence of wrongdoing or file formal charges. His detention has been widely condemned.
Amnesty International expressed grave concern over the arrest, stating: “We are disappointed to see the PTA in regular use by authorities under Sri Lanka's new leadership, despite the government's pledges that it would repeal this draconian law.” The organisation has called for Rusdi’s immediate release unless credible charges are brought, and urged the government to honour its promises to abolish the PTA.
“The Sri Lankan authorities must immediately restore Rusdi’s due process rights, including ensuring that he has unfettered access to his family and lawyers,” said Amnesty. “There must be an immediate moratorium on the use of the PTA, and the government should make public a timeline for its plans to do away with this abusive law.”
The arrest has also sparked outrage within the Sri Lankan Muslim community. The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), the country’s leading Muslim clerical body, released a statement condemning the detention, which they said stemmed from Rusdi displaying a sticker opposing atrocities in Palestine.
“The ACJU strongly condemns the arrest of any individual for lawfully and democratically expressing their grievances,” the statement read. It noted that while police claimed the arrest was not solely due to the sticker, they failed to specify any other legitimate grounds. The ACJU has formally requested official documentation of the charges and is consulting with legal experts to pursue appropriate action.
“We urge all citizens to express their views responsibly,” the ACJU added, “but at the same time, Sri Lanka must uphold the democratic right to peaceful expression, provided it does not threaten national security or social harmony.”
The arrest has renewed fears about the continued misuse of the PTA, a law long criticised for facilitating arbitrary detention, torture, and abuse—particularly against Tamils and Muslims. While the Dissanayake government campaigned on promises of reform and reconciliation, the use of the PTA against a young protester has raised questions about its commitment to civil liberties and human rights.
Rights groups and civil society organisations continue to call for the repeal of the PTA and justice for those unjustly detained under its provisions.