Concerns raised and protests held against proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill

A protest was held in Colombo against the government's proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act. This protest occurred on Tuesday (13).

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has expressed serious concerns regarding the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill, which was gazetted on September 22, 2026. TISL warns that the Bill could restrict public protests and freedom of expression, threaten fundamental rights, weaken judicial independence, and restrict democratic freedoms. They have called on the government to withdraw the Bill, citing its broad definitions of terrorism, expanded executive powers, administrative detention, and potential for draconian provisions.

In a related development, claims were made by a monk, Ven. Thiththagalle Anandasiri Thera, about an attack on a supporter of a protest march from Kandy to Colombo. Sri Lanka Police have rejected these claims, stating they are false. The monk later responded to police allegations, clarifying that he had assumed the victim was a protest supporter when linking the assault to the National People's Power (NPP).