Namal criticises ‘selective enforcement’ of PTA

Colombo, June 4 (Daily Mirror) - SLPP National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has raised concerns over what he described as the “selective use” of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), following reports that a young artist from Kilinochchi had been arrested and remanded over the alleged use of LTTE-related material in a rap song.

In a statement, Namal questioned whether the government was applying the law equally, noting that music and artistic expression were now allegedly being treated as terrorism-related offences.

He claimed that during the recent Local Government election campaign, certain National People’s Power (NPP) politicians had used and shared LTTE-themed songs on social media for political purposes without facing any legal action.

Namal specifically alleged that a Jaffna District NPP Parliamentarian had openly shared such content online and questioned why authorities had failed to act at the time.

“Where was the Police then? Where was the PTA then?” he asked.

The SLPP National Organiser said that the LTTE remains a banned terrorist organisation under Sri Lankan law and stated that neither he nor his party supports the promotion or glorification of LTTE elements.

However, he argued that when both a government MP and a young artist are accused of similar conduct, it was unacceptable for one individual to receive political protection while the other faces arrest under the PTA.

Namal further said that the law cannot be applied based on political convenience and warned against what he described as “double standards” in law enforcement.

“If the government believes such actions are unlawful, accountability must apply equally to everyone, regardless of political affiliation. Otherwise, this arrest will be viewed as a selective abuse of power,” he said.