Srilanka, Oct. 23 -- 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 dated October 21, 2026, the rights watchdog cautioned that the proposed legislation is potentially more draconian than the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) of 1979.
While acknowledging that organized crime poses serious threats to human rights-particularly to women, children, victims, and witnesses-the Commission emphasized that any...