The new government said it will postpone any decisions regarding the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) or the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill until after the next Parliament convenes following the general elections on November 14.

During a Cabinet briefing, Minister Vijitha Herath said  that there are no plans to repeal or amend the PTA at this time, despite opposition calls for reform. The PTA, enacted in 1979, has faced criticism for its use against suspected terrorists, particularly in light of recent arrests linked to security threats in Arugam Bay.

The previous administration initiated efforts to repeal the PTA in favor of a new Anti-Terrorism Bill, but those plans stalled amid legal challenges and subsequent revisions. Sources indicate that the current government, lacking a fully formed Cabinet, will evaluate the situation and determine a course of action only after the election.

Calls for the repeal of the PTA have intensified, with pressure from various groups, including the UN Human Rights Council, but previous governments have resisted these demands.