Leader of the ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ and MP Dilith Jayaweera has accused the current government of misusing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), claiming that such misuse has never occurred to this extent in Sri Lanka’s history.

He made these remarks while speaking to the media after meeting India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, along with a delegation from his party at its head office in Colombo on Thursday (5).

Jayaweera said that Major General Suresh Sallay, who played a key role in ending terrorism in Sri Lanka, deserves respect and gratitude for his service, and that any allegations against him should be considered under the presumption of innocence.

He further noted that the government had previously promised not to use the PTA, arguing that it had itself acknowledged the potential for abuse of the law.

He also claimed that the Act is now being misused extensively, particularly through detention orders, and described the situation as the most serious abuse of the legislation in the country’s history.

Jayaweera added that his party is preparing to launch a national-level protest, stating that the current situation cannot be allowed to continue.