Cabinet Approves Publication and Parliamentary Submission of New ‘Protection of the State from Terrorism’ Bill

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has formally approved a proposal to publish the draft bill for the ‘Protection of the State from Terrorism Act’ in the Government Gazette and subsequently submit it to Parliament for legislative enactment. The decision, reached at the Cabinet meeting on August 17, 2026, remains subject to formal approval at the next scheduled meeting.

The legal reform initiative stems from the recognized necessity to replace the decades-old Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979. To address the statutory shortcomings and operational limitations of the existing legal framework, a dedicated Technical Expert Committee was previously established to formulate a preliminary draft for comprehensive counter-terrorism legislation.

Following the committee’s submission, in-principle approval to introduce the new legislation was granted during the Cabinet meeting held on August 10, 2026. The draft bill, prepared by the Legal Draftsman, subsequently received official clearance from the Attorney General, paving the way for the latest Cabinet directive.

Presented by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, the approved proposal authorizes the final procedural steps to bring the ‘Protection of the State from Terrorism’ Bill before Parliament, marking a key milestone in restructuring the country’s national security laws.