‘Neither the old nor the new’ - Jaffna launches campaign against PTA and new anti-terror law

A signature campaign calling for the repeal of Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the withdrawal of proposed new legislation was launched in Jaffna this week under the theme “Neither the old nor the new”.

The protest and petition drive took place on Monday at the Bishop’s House of the Jaffna Diocese, bringing together religious leaders and civil society actors to voice opposition to both the existing PTA and the new law the Sri Lankan government claims is intended to safeguard the state from terrorism.

Among those who affixed their signatures were Velan Swamigal and Jaffna Diocesan Bishop Rev. Fr. Jebaratnam Adigalar, alongside several other members of the clergy, signalling broad opposition across religious institutions in the Tamil homeland.

Participants warned that the proposed legislation risks entrenching and expanding the repressive framework that has long been used against the Tamil nation. The PTA, introduced decades ago, has been widely criticised by Tamil political parties, civil society organisations and international rights groups for enabling arbitrary arrest, prolonged detention without trial and the suppression of dissent.

The new bill, dubbed the Protection of State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB), which the Sri Lankan government has presented as a replacement for the PTA, has already drawn sharp criticism from activists and community leaders across the North-East. Many have expressed concern that it will concentrate sweeping powers in the hands of the executive and security apparatus, while further curtailing fundamental freedoms.

Organisers of the Jaffna campaign stated that the signature drive would not be limited to those in the Tamil homeland. In order to enable members of the Tamil diaspora to express their opposition, an online platform for collecting signatures was also launched on Monday.

The campaign comes amid a wider wave of protests across the North-East against ongoing repression, land seizures and the continued use of security legislation against Tamil political activity. Civil society groups have repeatedly warned that both the PTA and any replacement law risk perpetuating the climate of surveillance, militarisation and intimidation that continues to shape everyday life in the Tamil homeland.