Amnesty International has called for the release of detained Tamil rapper Sangeethan Ganeshkumar and renewed demands for the repeal of Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), warning that the legislation continues to facilitate arbitrary detention and human rights abuses.
In a statement issued this week, the international rights organisation expressed concern over the continued use of the PTA despite repeated commitments by successive Sri Lankan governments to replace the law.
Amnesty said it was "concerned by the continued arrests and detentions carried out under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)," describing the legislation as one that has "long been criticized for its overly broad provisions and incompatibility with international human rights law and standards."
The intervention comes amid growing criticism over the arrest of 24-year-old Tamil hip-hop artist Sangeethan Ganeshkumar, widely known as HipHop Sangee, who was detained on 2 June and remanded until 17 June after authorities alleged that songs he performed and later shared on social media glorified the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
The arrest has triggered protests across the Tamil homeland, drawn criticism from lawyers, artists and civil society organisations, and prompted legal efforts challenging his detention.
While Sri Lankan authorities have relied on provisions of the PTA in pursuing the case, Amnesty argued that the legislation itself falls short of international legal standards.
The organisation noted that the PTA's "broad and vaguely defined offences do not align with international law standards."
Calling for his release, Amnesty stated:
"Sri Lankan authorities must immediately release Sangeethan Ganeshkumar unless he is promptly charged with an internationally recognisable offence in proceedings consistent with international fair trial standards."
The rights group also highlighted the continued detention of former State Intelligence Service chief Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, who was arrested in February in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
Amnesty noted that concerns had been raised publicly by Sallay's family and legal representatives regarding due process and allegations of inhumane treatment whilst in custody.
At the same time, the organisation stressed that accountability for the Easter Sunday attacks remained essential.
"Those suspected to be responsible must be brought to justice through strict adherence to due process and fair trial rights," Amnesty said.
It further emphasised that Sri Lankan authorities retain an obligation to provide truth, justice and reparations to victims and survivors of the Easter Sunday bombings, which killed more than 250 people.
Amnesty also raised concerns over the expanding use of the PTA beyond cases traditionally associated with national security, noting that the law has recently been invoked in investigations relating to alleged drug-related offences.
The organisation warned that the legislation continues to create conditions that facilitate abuse.
"As currently framed, the PTA continues to enable arbitrary and abusive practices, including by facilitating conditions conducive to torture and other forms of ill-treatment due to the absence of adequate safeguards."
The PTA has long been condemned by Tamil political parties, human rights organisations and international observers. For decades, the legislation has been used overwhelmingly against Tamils, enabling prolonged detention without charge and generating repeated allegations of torture, enforced confessions and other abuses.
Despite pledges by successive administrations to repeal or replace the law, the PTA remains in force and continues to be used by Sri Lankan authorities.
Amnesty concluded by calling on the Sri Lankan government to investigate allegations concerning the abuse and misuse of the PTA, examine claims of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, guarantee due process rights for all detainees, impose an immediate moratorium on the use of the legislation and repeal the Act without further delay.
The statement adds to mounting international scrutiny of Sri Lanka's continued reliance on the PTA and comes as protests demanding the release of Sangeethan Ganeshkumar continue across the North-East. For many Tamil activists and rights advocates, the rapper's detention has become emblematic of the enduring use of emergency-era legislation to police Tamil political, cultural and artistic expression more than seventeen years after the end of the armed conflict.