A report on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka was presented at the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Tuesday.
The report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights follows High Commissioner Volker Türk’s visit to Sri Lanka and assesses developments related to human rights, accountability and reconciliation in the country.
The report, which covers developments between October 2025 and July 2026, calls on the Sri Lankan government to build on steps taken towards accountability for human rights violations and to advance reconciliation and institutional reforms.
It notes steps taken by the government to tackle corruption, as well as high-profile arrests and investigations linked to political killings, enforced disappearances and the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
However, the report raises concerns over the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), alleging that its application has resulted in arbitrary arrests and prolonged detention without charge. It also highlights allegations of torture and deaths in custody, surveillance of civil society activists and journalists, and continuing tensions over land and religious sites.
The report also calls for decisive action to ensure accountability for crimes and violations allegedly committed by all parties during Sri Lanka’s armed conflict.
Click here to access full report (Newswire)