Special Complaint to Be Submitted to UN Over POCB 2026 and PSTA 2026 Bills

A special formal complaint is set to be submitted to the United Nations office in Sri Lanka, raising concerns over the potential impact of two proposed laws gazetted by the Sri Lankan Government: the Prevention of Organised Crime Bill (POCB – 2026) and the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTA – 2026).

The complaint calls for international attention to concerns that the proposed legislation could affect fundamental rights, freedom of speech and expression, and media freedom in Sri Lanka.

The initiative has been organised by the Citizens of the People's Struggle (Jana Aragalaye Purawasiyo), with Chanaka Bandara outlining the organisation's position on the matter.

According to the organisers, the formal complaint seeks to draw the attention of the United Nations to provisions in the proposed legislation that they believe could undermine democratic freedoms and civil liberties.

The organisation intends to bring these concerns to the attention of the international community and seek scrutiny of the potential consequences of the two Bills for citizens and media organisations.

The move comes amid growing opposition criticism and public debate surrounding the Government's proposed security legislation and its implications for democratic rights in the country.