Sri Lanka faces a defining moment as the UK prepares to bring a resolution at the 60th UN Human Rights Session in Geneva, testing Colombo’s promises of accountability, reform, and reconciliation.
The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council is scheduled to take place in Geneva from September 8 to October 8, with Sri Lanka represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath.
Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk visited Sri Lanka on June 23, during which he inspected the Chemmani cemetery in Jaffna, where excavations are currently underway.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told, that the UK has formally notified the Sri Lankan government of its intent to table a resolution on Sri Lanka at this session. The move coincides with the first anniversary of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s inauguration and comes nearly eight months after his government assumed office.
Disappeared Persons, Land Issues, and the Unfolding Truth
The timing of this session is critical. It is being held as excavations continue at two suspected mass graves in Sri Lanka.
These digs began after human bones were discovered during development work at the Sitthupattu Cemetery in Chemmani, Jaffna. The fifth phase of excavations is now in progress, with skeletal remains of more than 200 bodies reportedly recovered.
Similarly, human bones have been unearthed near the Colombo Port.
UN High Commissioner Volker Turk personally visited the Chemmani excavations, underscoring the gravity of the process.
On August 22, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath addressed Parliament on the matter.
“The process of the Office for Missing Persons, the Office for Compensation, etc. has been deliberately weakened in the past. But as a matter of policy, we must strengthen those institutions by providing the necessary funds and human resources to strengthen that process and take steps to do that process properly,” he said.
He added: “On many occasions, cemeteries like Chemmani have been the subject of intense debate. Impartial judicial proceedings are being taken not only in Chemmani but also in many other cemeteries. For the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, the skeletons have been shown to the public and given an opportunity to be identified.”
The minister assured that no government interference was taking place.
“The Commissioner of the International Human Rights Council has been given the opportunity to personally observe them. These proceedings are being carried out impartially and the relatives will be given the opportunity to identify them, and the relevant defendants will be examined after examining the evidence in accordance with court orders.”
He further noted that lands acquired for military or national security purposes were being identified and released.
Cabinet decisions announced on September 4 included a proposal to complete all investigations into complaints about missing persons. It was revealed that the Office for Missing Persons has received 16,966 complaints, with 10,517 still pending.
To expedite matters, the Cabinet has approved the creation of 25 sub-committees comprising 75 qualified individuals, tasked with completing investigations by 2027.
What About the PTA, OSA, and ICCPR?
At last year’s 59th UN Human Rights Session, recommendations regarding Sri Lanka centered on repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and either amending or repealing laws such as the Online Security Act and the ICCPR Act.
In his manifesto A Rich Country – A Beautiful Life, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had pledged reforms, including the repeal or amendment of these controversial acts.
Yet since his inauguration, multiple detentions have occurred under the PTA. Debate erupted when a protester against Israel was detained under PTA provisions, though later released. More recently, drug-trafficking suspects were also held under the same law.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that a committee has been formed to review the Cybersecurity Act. A decision on repealing the PTA is expected later this month.
A UK Resolution Against Sri Lanka
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, the UK has officially informed Colombo of its plan to table a resolution at the upcoming session.
Local media had earlier reported that both Canada and the UK would submit a joint resolution. However, the spokesperson clarified that no such confirmation has yet come from Canada.
If the resolution is tabled, Minister Vijitha Herath is expected to present Sri Lanka’s position.
Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, asked about this at a press conference on September 4, responded:
“Even the international community has acknowledged that the situation regarding anti-democratic human rights violations in our country has changed significantly in the past years. Accordingly, even the Human Rights Commissioner had submitted his report in this regard.”
He added: “There are also some observations from their side. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government have paid special attention to this. We will make a statement on the government side before or during the human rights session.”
Briefing Diplomats Before Geneva
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath is set to depart on September 7 for Geneva, returning on September 11. Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa also confirmed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to attend.
Ahead of this, Minister Herath convened a briefing for foreign diplomats in Colombo on September 2, where he outlined government initiatives aimed at strengthening reconciliation mechanisms. These included the Office of Missing Persons, the Office of Victims of Crime, and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation.
A press release from the Ministry stated that the meeting sought to secure international support for Sri Lanka at the upcoming session.
