The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called on the Sri Lankan Government to seize what it described as a “historic opportunity” to implement transformative reforms, ensure accountability, and address the root causes of past conflict, laying the foundation for sustainable peace and national unity.
In its latest report to the UN Human Rights Council, OHCHR acknowledged pledges by the Government to address emblematic human rights cases, restore the rule of law, and eliminate ethnic discrimination and divisive politics.
However, it stressed that these commitments must translate into a coherent, time-bound plan backed by concrete actions — including justice for crimes committed during the civil war — to restore public trust in state institutions.
“Since formation of the Government, OHCHR has observed a noticeable shift in discourse among Government actors toward a more inclusive vision of national identity, although this has not yet resulted in concrete deliverables,” the report said.
The High Commissioner also pressed for transparency in publishing all outstanding reports from past commissions of inquiry and ensuring impartiality in the Office on Missing Persons.
OHCHR called for unequivocal orders to security forces prohibiting enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, and other abuses, backed by systematic investigations and punishments. It also urged an immediate end to surveillance, harassment, and reprisals against civil society, journalists, victims, and their families.
Recognizing the toll of the economic crisis, OHCHR urged the Government to align fiscal policy with its human rights obligations by safeguarding social protections and ensuring austerity measures do not harm the most vulnerable.
It also called on Sri Lanka’s external creditors to provide the fiscal space needed to protect economic, social, and cultural rights. (Newswire)
