The proposed law is meant to replace the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, which gives security personnel virtual carte blanche in detaining terror suspects.
Sri Lanka hosted two high-level delegations from the U.S. in February – including one that opposition parties say was cover for a secret mission by the head of the CIA.
Fearing that it will be routed in elections, the ruling party unleashed a propaganda campaign to convince people that elections amid the economic crisis are a bad idea.