{
  "id": 18051167,
  "title": "Ex-CJ condemns proposed security laws, accuses govt. of perpetrating terrorism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/ex-cj-condemns-proposed-security-laws-accuses-govt-of-perpetrating",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T00:05:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/ex-cj-condemns-proposed-security-laws-accuses-govt-of-perpetrating-terrorism/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Chief Justice Sarath Nanda Silva has expressed grave concerns regarding the Protection of State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB) and its potential to target political opponents. Speaking at Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Office, Silva's criticisms echo those of former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, who warned that the bill could violate both political and civil rights. They accuse the government of planning to suppress political dissent by utilizing this proposed legislation. The issue becomes even more concerning when considering the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill (POCB), which, when combined with PSTB, could lead to the destruction of democracy. Peiris stressed the need for global response to the potential consequences, noting that the European Union's GSP plus concessions could be at risk due to the negative stance taken by the United Nations Human Rights Council and prominent human rights organizations. PSTB and POCB, which were introduced by the National People's Party (NPP) on 6th and 20th October, could enable the government to deploy the armed forces without an emergency declaration, violating the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The military would be able to arrest individuals without police involvement, holding them for up to 72 hours before presenting them before a Magistrate. This scenario raises serious questions about the potential for abuse and the mental state of those held for such extended periods. Furthermore, the major flaw in POCB is that it empowers law enforcement to detain individuals without judicial oversight, prompting calls for international intervention to prevent the National People's Party's strategy from succeeding.",
  "summary": "By Shamindra Ferdinando Former Chief Justice Sarath Nanda Silva yesterday (03) warned that the Protection of State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB) could be utilised against those opposed to the government. They could be branded as terrorists, the ex-CJ said, endorsing former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris’s declaration that the proposed law would violate both […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}