Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Sumith Dassanayake, engaged in a constructive meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ambassador Volker Türk, recently (13).

According to the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva, during the meeting at Palais Wilson, Ambassador Dassanayake briefed the High Commissioner on the recent developments in Sri Lanka and discussed several matters of mutual interest. 

Ambassador Dassanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s continued and constructive engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

In response, High Commissioner Türk appreciated Ambassador Dassanayake for the briefing, while expressing continued support for Sri Lanka through OHCHR. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has met United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). 

The meeting took place at the Human Rights Council Chamber of the UN Secretariat in the US last afternoon. 

According to President Dissanayake, during the meeting, he reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s engagement on human rights.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, is currently in the USA to attend the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. (Newswire)

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A peaceful protest was held in Trincomalee today calling on the visiting UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, to address unresolved issues related to Sri Lanka’s civil war.

A group of residents of the Eastern Province handed over petitions to the UN Human Rights Chief, consisting of their appeals related to enforced disappearances, acquisition of lands, and threats faced by civil activists.

Responding to the people, Volker Türk assured he would look into the issues raised by the victims of the war. (Newswire)

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A joint letter by several Tamil political parties to the visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has highlighted the need for a sincere and genuine approach to ensure accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

The letter has been signed by representatives of political parties such as the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), All Ceylon Tamil Congress, Tamil National People’s Front, Democratic Tamil National Alliance, and civil organizations. 

The joint letter points out that the UN Human Rights Chief’s visit comes against the backdrop of 16 years of no significant progress on the question of accountability for crimes committed during the four-decade-long war.

“We are concerned that your visit will be used and is being used by the Government of Sri Lanka as an exercise in boosting their legitimacy and to weaken the resolve of your office and that of the  UN Human Rights Council to take concrete steps towards ensuring accountability in Sri Lanka,” it said. 

The joint letter further called on the UN Human Rights Chief to consider the recommendations that had been jointly presented by Tamil political parties and civil organizations in 2021 to the heads of missions of the 47 states represented in the UN Human Rights Council on ensuring accountability. (Newswire)

Joint letter to the visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka………. (1) pic.twitter.com/qo7u6f0w4u

— Gajen Ponnambalam MP (@GGPonnambalam) June 25, 2025

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa emphasized the urgent need for a constitutional amendment with a broader focus on human rights and fundamental freedoms in Sri Lanka, during a meeting with visiting UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk. 

Speaking following the meeting in Parliament today, MP Premadasa underscored the importance of safeguarding human rights in any democratic society.

Highlighting that the arrival of the UN Human Rights Chief has reignited critical dialogue on Sri Lanka’s human rights situation, he stressed that the protection of globally recognized human rights instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as well as the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and environmental rights, are essential hallmarks of democracy.

The Opposition Leader also noted that the establishment of the Office on Missing Persons, the Office for Reparations, and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation are steps toward fostering post-war reconciliation, unity, and friendship, and are crucial components of protecting human rights in Sri Lanka.

MP Sajith Premadasa further called for oppressive laws to be reformed. Urging a strong and decisive reform of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), he noted that this is a demand shared by many political parties, and that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya fully supports amending the PTA. 

He also criticized the Online Safety Act for curbing freedom of expression and stressed the need to protect independent media, which he described as the fourth pillar of democracy.

Stating that free media must not be regulated by the Government, MP Premadasa strongly opposed government efforts to regulate journalists or establish commissions to control media institutions, warning that such actions threaten press freedom. 

He further stated that alongside civil and political rights, basic human rights, including economic, social, and religious rights, must be guaranteed. With the rising cost of living, he pointed out that even the right to life is being compromised, as many people struggle to afford basic necessities.

The Opposition Leader stressed that the right to life must be recognized as a human right, arguing that the ongoing increase in the cost of living has made it difficult for many Sri Lankans to survive, threatening their very right to life. 

He emphasized that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya advocates for recognizing not only civil and political rights but also the right to life as a fundamental human right. 

MP Sajith Premadasa also called for constitutional reforms that explicitly guarantee the rights to life, education, healthcare, and access to a dignified and energetic existence. (Newswire)

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Visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called on Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, today. 

Taking to ‘X’, Minister Vijitha Herath said a discussion was held on matters of mutual interest related to human rights.

“I reiterated the Government’s commitment to continued constructive engagement. I also briefed him on progress on reconciliation efforts and human rights since the new Government assumed office,” Minister Herath added. 

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, is on an official visit to Sri Lanka from 23 to 26 June.

This marks the first visit by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Sri Lanka since February 2016. (Newswire)

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Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to working constructively with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). 

She made the remark during a meeting with the visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday.

During the meeting, PM Amarasuriya noted that the recent political transition marks a significant shift in Sri Lanka’s political culture, rooted in a historic mandate received from all communities.

The Prime Minister outlined the Government’s focus on three key pillars: alleviating rural poverty, advancing digitalization, and pursuing legal and political reforms alongside the necessary social transformation and institutional changes. 

She reiterated the Government’s commitment to protecting and promoting the full spectrum of human rights, including social, educational, health, and economic rights.

PM Amarasuriya also emphasized that reconciliation remains a priority, supported by strengthening domestic mechanisms such as the Office for Missing Persons (OMP), the Office for Reparations (OR), and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR).

At the meeting, High Commissioner Volker Türk expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka’s continued engagement and reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in advancing human rights, democratic governance, and national reconciliation.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, and other officials from the United Nations. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism; and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Newswire)

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