Sri Lanka, Feb. 9 -- The proposed Protection of State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) vastly expands executive and security sector powers, vesting the President with broad powers to the President to proscribe organizations and impose curfew, according to the organization called Justice for All.

Issuing a statement signed by former ITAK MP M.A. Sumanthiran and others, the organization said that the proposed law, which is sought to be enacted in place of the current Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), also allows Deputy Inspectors General of Police to apply for restriction orders to the Magistrate Court.

It provides the Secretary of Defence to declare prohibited places for up to 72 hours, extendable for a further 72 hours with judicial approval,...