The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has warned the government that enacting vaguely defined anti-terrorism and crime legislation could severely damage investor confidence and threaten crucial international trade benefits.
The private sector body submitted its formal observations on the draft Protection of the State from Terrorism bill and announced it is finalising feedback on the proposed Prevention of Organised Crime bill.
This intervention comes as Sri Lankan business leaders urge policymakers in Colombo to incorporate explicit legal definitions, robust judicial oversight, and proper due process protections into all new security laws.
By reshaping these drafts to match accepted international benchmarks, the nation can preserve both legal certainty and its reputation as a stable commercial destination.
Maintaining compliance with global human rights commitments is vital to safeguarding Sri Lanka's ongoing access to the European Union's GSP+ scheme.
Uninterrupted access to these preferential tariff benefits remains essential for sustaining export revenues, protecting local jobs, and bringing in vital foreign exchange.