The Yukthi Collective has raised concerns over the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTA) and Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill (OCB), warning that the legislation could be used to suppress public protests against economic hardships and government policies.
In a statement titled “The Shield and the Sword: How PSTA and OCB Legislate Neoliberal Austerity,” the collective alleged that the proposed laws were designed to criminalise public resistance to future economic reforms under International Monetary Fund (IMF) programmes.
The organisation claimed that the government was preparing for potential social unrest arising from economic difficulties by introducing legislation that could classify dissent as terrorism or serious crime.
It particularly raised concerns over Clause 3(1)(b) of the proposed PSTA, which includes acts intended to unduly compel a government or international organisation to take or refrain from taking certain actions within the definition of terrorism.
According to the collective, this provision could potentially be used against demonstrations targeting international financial institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), as well as protests outside foreign diplomatic missions.
The organisation argued that the term “unduly” provided insufficient safeguards against the possible misuse of the law.
The collective also criticised the government’s economic policies, alleging that efforts to exceed IMF targets had created superficial economic stability while worsening household debt, livelihoods and migration pressures.
It further warned that Sri Lanka’s debt repayment obligations could increase from 2028, potentially triggering further public dissatisfaction and economic instability.
Drawing parallels with the introduction of the Executive Presidency and Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in 1978, the organisation claimed that security legislation had historically been used to suppress opposition to economic reforms.
The Yukthi Collective also expressed concern over the possibility of further privatisation under future IMF programmes, arguing that the proposed legislation could restrict public opposition to such measures.
It called for the proposed PSTA and OCB to be defeated, stressing the need to protect democratic freedoms, public participation and the right to protest.
The Yukthi Collective is a collaboration of activists, researchers and academics supporting working people’s movements and advocating democracy, social justice and alternatives to neoliberal economic policies. (Newswire)