A group of individuals gathered in Vavuniya over the weekend to take part in a signature campaign organised by the Movement for Equal Rights, calling for the repeal of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), justice for the forcibly disappeared, and the establishment of a new political framework that guarantees equal rights for all, according to Tamil Guardian online report posted on 12 July. Participants demanded urgent accountability for enforced disappearances during and after the armed conflict, and claimed continued use of the PTA to target minority communities and suppress dissent.
The campaign comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s rights record, including alleged mass graves discovered in Chemmani and the continued imprisonment of Tamil political prisoners under the PTA. Despite repeated promises by successive governments to replace the legislation, it remains in force and continues to be used disproportionately against Tamils.