A meeting between the Government and civil society organisations has been tentatively scheduled for 11 June, as discussions over the proposed NGO Act get renewed urgency. 

Civil society representatives, who have been seeking engagement on the issue for months, say the meeting could be pivotal in determining the future of NGO regulation in Sri Lanka.

People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director and Civil Society Organisations Collective member Rohana Hettiarachchi confirmed that while no formal invitation had been issued, informal communications had indicated the Minister’s willingness to meet and discuss the draft legislation.

“We have been engaging with this issue for nearly 10 years,” Hettiarachchi said. “A civil society-led framework was submitted years ago, but there has been little clarity since.”

According to Hettiarachchi, the new framework has not been legally adopted yet and its contents remain unclear to stakeholders. The draft is expected to introduce new regulatory mechanisms for NGOs, although civil society fears it may lead to increased State control under the guise of transparency and security.

“We are not against regulation. We already follow financial, banking, and registration laws,” he said. “What concerns us is the intent to control, especially organisations critical of governance or active in post-conflict regions.”

He also criticised past decisions to place NGOs under the Ministry of Defence, calling it inappropriate and detrimental to civic space. “Civil society should come under a civilian authority,” he added.

The Government claims the proposed act targets issues like money laundering and national security, but civil society groups argue that existing laws are sufficient to address such concerns.

“This push for new legislation didn’t start with the current Government. It goes back to the previous administration. But the fear of silencing dissent remains,” Hettiarachchi said.