Proposed anti-terrorism law could be used against minorities and dissenters, Batticaloa MP warns

A government-proposed law intended to protect the state from terrorism could be used to brand members of minority communities and those with dissenting views as terrorists, Batticaloa District MP Ilaiyathambi Sreenath has warned.

Peaceful protests against the government, freedom of expression, demands for self-determination and reports of human rights violations could all be labelled terrorism or incitement under the proposed legislation, opening the door to arbitrary arrests, he said.

He made the remarks while addressing media at an awareness event for people's representatives, civil society activists and journalists on the proposed new laws, held at a private hall in Batticaloa on Friday (07.11.2026).

The MP alleged the law is being designed to easily suppress events observed by minorities such as Maaveerar Naal and Mullivaikkal commemorations, protests seeking justice for victims, and campaigns over land grabs, culture, language and the Department of Archaeology, and that media freedom would also be curtailed. He called on local councils, parliament, the legal profession, civil organisations and trade unions to oppose the bill before it is passed.