UN Human Rights Council 60: Core Group Statement on the Report of OHCHR on the Human Rights Situation in Sri Lanka

Thank you, Mr President,

This statement is on behalf of the Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom.

We are grateful for Minister Herath's presence today.

High Commissioner,

Thank you for your report and recent country visit which underscored both enduring challenges and opportunities for reform.

Your Office has previously documented gross human rights violations and abuses, including unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, sexual and gender-based violence and arbitrary detentions.

As you noted, Sri Lanka has an opportunity to break from its past and heal deep scars that continue to impact victims, survivors, and their families.

We welcome the government's decision to abolish the Prevention of Terrorism Act. We urge the government to turn its commitments into meaningful actions on human rights, accountability, reconciliation, good governance and constitutional reform.

Addressing longstanding impunity is essential to build trust among victims and survivors in domestic judicial processes. We support a fully independent and effective public prosecutorial body.

It is crucial that investigations at mass grave sites are carried out in line with international standards and that journalists, human rights defenders and civil society organisations can operate freely and safely.

We remain willing to work constructively with Sri Lanka.

Thank you.