COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Diya TV) — Sri Lankan authorities arrested Tamil hip-hop artist Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, known professionally as Hiphop Sangee, on June 2 under the country’s Prevention of Terrorism Act, or PTA, drawing attention from human rights organizations and renewing debate over the law.
Authorities allege that a performance by the 24-year-old musician promoted or glorified the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE, a separatist group banned in Sri Lanka. Ganeskumar remains in custody and has been remanded until June 17.
The arrest has prompted criticism from Amnesty International, which said the PTA contains broad provisions that may not comply with international human rights standards.
In a statement posted on social media, Amnesty International South Asia said the law allows authorities to detain individuals under broadly defined offenses, raising concerns about freedom of expression and due process.
“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 organization said.
Amnesty also renewed its call for Sri Lanka to repeal the PTA and urged authorities to suspend its use while reforms are under consideration.
The PTA has long been a source of debate among human rights groups, legal experts and international observers. Critics argue that the law grants security forces broad powers to arrest and detain suspects without adequate safeguards. Supporters say it remains an important tool for addressing national security threats.
Human rights organizations have argued that the PTA has disproportionately affected members of Sri Lanka’s Tamil community and has been used against political activists and others accused of security-related offenses. Sri Lankan governments have pledged for years to review or replace the legislation, though a full repeal has yet to occur.
Amnesty also cited other recent cases involving the PTA, including the detention of former State Intelligence Service chief Suresh Salley in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The organization said family members and legal representatives have raised concerns about his treatment while in custody and called for any allegations of abuse to be investigated.
The group said victims of the Easter Sunday attacks deserve truth, justice, and reparations while emphasizing that legal proceedings should meet fair trial standards. Amnesty also pointed to reports that the PTA has been used in some drug-related cases, arguing that the law’s broad scope increases the risk of arbitrary detention.
