Sri Lanka, under the National People’s Power (NPP) government, is reportedly prepared to engage with the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) this year, committing to investigate allegations of human rights violations through a domestic mechanism supported by international expertise and to take steps toward reconciliation.
In this context, a group of countries led by Britain, including Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, is expected to present a new resolution on Sri Lanka during the upcoming session. The group has urged the government to prioritize a comprehensive reconciliation and accountability process that is endorsed by affected communities, builds on past recommendations, and complies with international standards.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk made a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka from June 23 to 26, the first by a High Commissioner since 2016. During his visit, Türk met with senior government officials, including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and encouraged Sri Lanka to consider international legal options to promote accountability.
Türk also called on the government to create an enabling environment for justice, ensuring the impartiality of the Office of the Missing Persons, obtaining international expertise, and monitoring its credibility in line with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The Foreign Ministry is currently preparing for the UNHRC session, scheduled to begin on September 8, and Minister Vijitha Herath is expected to attend. Ministry sources indicated that while the government does not oppose the UNHRC process, it will not co-sponsor the resolution being prepared.
Sources emphasized that the government seeks engagement with the international community rather than focusing on past conflict. They noted that the proposed anti-terrorism law will be implemented, steps will be taken to address civilian concerns in the North, and initiatives will be undertaken to pursue truth and justice.
