MP Shanakyan Rasamanikkam warns that while Sri Lanka’s leaders may deceive their own people with empty promises, the international community is no longer fooled, as the UNHRC demands action over words.
Sri Lanka’s credibility on the international stage has once again been questioned, with MP Shanakyan Rasamanikkam stating that Geneva has proven what many citizens already know: those who mislead their own people cannot deceive the world. Posting on his official X account, Rasamanikkam stressed that the government’s commitments to justice, devolution, and human rights remain limited to rhetoric, with little real progress made. “What is needed now is action, not assurances. The government cannot continue to deceive the world as it deceives its own people,” he said.
His remarks came in response to a post by former MP M.A. Sumanthiran, who noted that the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) had adopted a resolution on “Accountability and Promoting Reconciliation in Sri Lanka” without a vote. Sumanthiran acknowledged disappointment at the lack of tangible progress over the past 16 years, despite repeated resolutions dating back to 2012. However, he welcomed the extension of international monitoring for another two years, suggesting that global scrutiny remains essential in holding Sri Lanka accountable.
The resolution underscores the growing frustration of the international community with Sri Lanka’s repeated failures to implement reforms. While Colombo has often attempted to project an image of cooperation, critics argue that these efforts have largely amounted to stalling tactics. The continued spotlight from Geneva signals that the global community is unwilling to accept delay indefinitely.
For many Sri Lankans, the developments in Geneva highlight a widening gap between government rhetoric and the lived reality of victims still waiting for justice. The challenge now lies in whether the leadership will finally turn words into action or continue on a path that risks further international isolation.
