Sri Lanka, Oct. 30 -- In another major salvo against the government over the new counter terrorism legislation, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in its report that the Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) reproduces or expands a number of shortcomings in the Protection of Terrorism Act which is in force and earlier proposed counter-terrorism legislation.

The report was circulated to the Sri Lankan media by the UN office in Sri Lanka. It says the bill contains some additional safeguards and improvements on previous drafts, but concerns remain regarding broad and insufficiently precise terrorism offences; restrictions affecting protected expression and civic activity; administrative...