Category: Legal
UN Human Rights Office encourages Sri Lanka to undertake comprehensive review of PSTA before its enactment
The UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) encourages the Government to undertake a further comprehensive review of the draft Protection of the State from Terrorism (PSTA) Bill before its enactment, in consultation with independent institutions, civil society organisations and legal experts. The Office recommends, in particular, that the Government:1) Narrow and clarify […]
Sri Lanka’s Organized Crime Bill Violates Rights Standards: Human Rights Watch
The Sri Lankan government’s Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, submitted to parliament on October 20, 2026, risks enabling arbitrary detention, torture, and other rights violations, Human Rights Watch said today. The proposed law, alongside the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill submitted on October 6, reproduces abusive provisions in existing counterterrorism laws that would […]
More Draconian Than PTA: Human Rights Commission Demands Withdrawal of Organised Crime Bill
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has called for the immediate withdrawal and substantial revision of the proposed Prevention of Organised Crime Bill, warning that the draft law is “wholly incompatible” with the country’s Constitution and international human rights treaties. In a formal letter to Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara […]
Supreme Court Mandates Referendum for Strict Bail Restrictions Under Anti-Corruption Bill
In a major constitutional determination announced in Parliament today by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ruled that key provisions of the proposed Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill cannot become law without a two-thirds parliamentary majority and direct approval by the people at a public referendum. The Court’s ruling targets critical judicial, corporate governance, […]
Supreme Court Clears 22nd Amendment Without Referendum, Exempts Incumbent CJ from 6-Year Term Limit
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has determined that the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature Amendment Bill do not violate core constitutional provisions and can proceed to a vote in Parliament without requiring a public referendum, according to an official announcement by the Speaker of Parliament. The Supreme Court ruled […]
UNDP supports DNA Laboratory of Government Analyst Department in procuring critical equipment
Visit to DNA Laboratory and observing of procured equipment The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka handed over 17 critical equipment to strengthen the DNA laboratory of the Government Analyst Department, including an RT PCR machine, PCR system and Crime Lite Serology Kit, with the aim of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of […]
Transparency International Sri Lanka Challenges the Anti-Corruption Act Amendment Bill 2026
Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) filed a petition on 31st of August 2026, in the Supreme Court challenging the proposed “Anti-Corruption (Amendment)” Bill placed on the Order Paper of Parliament on the 19th of August 2026. The Bill proposes concerning amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023. The petition has been filed in […]
Cabinet Approves Bilateral MoU Between Sri Lanka and China on Immigration Control Cooperation
The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to enter into a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on immigration control cooperation between the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka and the National Immigration Administration of the People’s Republic of China, subject to confirmation at the next cabinet meeting. The proposed agreement aims to establish […]
Government Expedites House Arrest Legislation to Address Prison Overcrowding
At its meeting on August 3, 2026, the Cabinet approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to instruct the Legal Draftsman to promptly finalize a draft bill introducing house arrest as an alternative to remand and imprisonment. The initiative follows a comprehensive review of earlier drafts—initially sanctioned under a June […]
Cabinet Approves Gazetting and Submission to Parliament of Key Judicial Reform Bills
Following initial Cabinet approval on July 27, 2026, approval has been granted to publish the Twenty-second Constitutional Amendment Bill and the Judiciary (Amendment) Bill in the Government Gazette and subsequently submit them to Parliament. Drafted by the Legal Draftsman and granted constitutional clearance by the Attorney General, the proposed legislation submitted by the Minister of […]
BASL Unanimously Passes Resolution Against Proposed Judges’ Retirement Age Amendment
A Special General Meeting of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today unanimously passed a resolution strongly opposing proposed constitutional and statutory amendments to increase the retirement age of judges. The resolution follows the Cabinet of Ministers’ conditional approval on July 27, 2026, of a proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National […]
Cabinet Approves Move to Raise Judges’ Retirement Age as Part of Judicial Reform Package
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to raise the statutory retirement age of judges, as part of a broader package of draft amendments to the Constitution and the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978. The decision was made at the Cabinet meeting held on July 27, 2026, and remains subject to final approval […]