South Asians for Human Rights

Promoting Democracy, Upholding Human Rights

Sri Lanka’s protected war resulted in many socio-political changes in the country. A key change

was the reduced recognition for rights and liberties of citizens as a result of the promulgation of

laws that catered strictly to national security concerns.

For nearly three decades, Sri Lanka was ruled under emergency regulations. The only departure

from this practice was recorded during the 2002-2004 period, a brief spell during which

emergency rule was relaxed following the truce between the Government and the Liberation

Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The circumstances that compelled the administrations to make use of the Prevention of

Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Public Security Ordinance (PSO) did leave an indelible mark on the

Sri Lankan society as their operational aspect resulted in the suppression of human liberties.

Sri Lanka’s protected war resulted in many socio-political changes in the country. A key change was the reduced recognition for rights and liberties of citizens as a result of the promulgation of laws that catered strictly to national security concerns.

For nearly three decades, Sri Lanka was ruled under emergency regulations. The only departure from this practice was recorded during the 2002-2004 period, a brief spell during which emergency rule was relaxed following the truce between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The circumstances that compelled the administrations to make use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Public Security Ordinance (PSO) did leave an indelible mark on the Sri Lankan society as their operational aspect resulted in the suppression of human liberties.

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