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UN Rights Chief urges Sri Lanka to embrace new path

Published

2 years ago

2024/09/10

Volker Turk

Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said yesterday Sri Lanka must break from its past and forge a new direction. During an Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR report at the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Turk emphasised that Sri Lanka is at a critical crossroads. He urged that the situation in Sri Lanka requires ongoing attention and support from the Council and the international community.

Full text of Turk’s statement: Sri Lanka stands at an important crossroads.

The report of my Office outlines concerning trends over the past two years and highlights renewed threats to fundamental freedoms — including regressive laws and the erosion of democratic checks and balances, as well as harassment and intimidation of civil society and journalists.

It shines a spotlight on recurring patterns of past violations, including arbitrary detention and torture, and underlines real risks for the future in the absence of deeper reforms.

Sri Lanka must break from the past and chart a new course. And the situation in Sri Lanka needs the continuing attention and support of this Council and the international community.

Two years have passed since mass protests demanded democratic reforms and an end to corruption and the abuse of power. Today, despite promises of a new beginning, those demands remain largely unfulfilled.

And while 15 years have passed since the end of the devastating civil war – victims and their families are still waiting for truth, for justice and for reparation.

Instead, a prevailing sense of impunity impedes meaningful progress and encourages continued violations and more corruption.

Meanwhile, for many people, the economic situation is precarious.

The poverty rate doubled between 2021 and 2023, and more and more households are forced to choose between food or healthcare. Between education or energy.

Sri Lanka is also approaching presidential and parliamentary elections later this year, and the newly elected administration must commit to the concrete transformational changes needed to ensure accountability, justice and reconciliation.

Those in power must protect fully the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly prior, during and after the upcoming elections.

And the international community must support this transformation. It is important for Sri Lanka’s creditors to provide the Government with the fiscal space necessary to realize all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights.

Mr. President,

I am especially concerned by new or proposed laws granting broad powers to security forces and expanding restrictions on citizens and civil society.

One such example, the draft NGOs Registration and Supervision Bill, has a range of problematic provisions – including broad discretion given to authorities to deny registration of civil society organisations – which carry major risks threatening civic space.

Reports of persistent harassment, surveillance, and intimidation of journalists, civil society actors, victims and human rights defenders are unacceptable.

Meanwhile, abuses by police and security forces are prevalent – and we continue to receive concerning allegations of arbitrary detention and torture.

The absence of accountability for past and present violations is a fundamental problem, illustrated by the lack of meaningful progress in emblematic cases.

Investigation and prosecution of the 2006 massacres of 17 humanitarian workers in Muttur, the killing of five Tamil students in Trincomale in the same year, and the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge in 2009 – to cite just some key instances – have faced prolonged delays and setbacks.

Other cases have been interfered with, dropped, or been the subject of acquittal on deeply questionable grounds.

There has also been limited progress in the criminal investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

And today, people allegedly responsible for gross violations continue to be appointed to senior positions.

Further, this entrenched impunity has manifested itself in the corruption, abuse of power and governance failures that were among the root causes of the country’s recent economic crisis.

In Sri Lanka, the fate and whereabouts of tens of thousands of people who have been subjected to enforced disappearance over the decades are still unknown.

Their families are stuck in purgatory, waiting for answers – and those responsible have not been held to account.

This must change, and that would start with a formal acknowledgement of the serious violations that occurred during the war, of the responsibility of the State and security forces for the conduct of their own personnel, and of the legacy of those atrocities for victims and communities.

A clear, public change of narrative along these lines would help to re-establish trust in the authorities and begin to address the deep polarization in the country.

And it finally would allow processes of truth and reconciliation and healing to make real advances, rebuilding the social contract.

Excellencies,

Across the globe, the failure to deal with the demons of the past – to ensure accountability for international crimes – is renewing old conflicts. Is creating new conflicts. And is sowing the seeds for future conflicts that will haunt people again and again.

Without accountability, the legacy of violence is simply more violence.

And impunity is a cancer that weakens States and societies.

But there is another path – paved with justice and accountability – that leads to healing, reconciliation and peace.

I urge Sri Lanka to follow it.

Going forward, Sri Lanka must pursue an inclusive national vision that addresses the root causes of the conflict. One that undertakes fundamental constitutional, legal and institutional reforms to strengthen democracy and advance accountability and reconciliation.

The Government must implement significant security sector reform – including holding to account those individuals implicated in serious violations.

And it must take immediate steps to prevent human rights violations.

My Office is not here to point the finger, but to lend a hand. We are reflecting what Sri Lankans from all communities are telling us.

They want change, and my Office is ready to support Sri Lanka on that journey.

In the meantime, it is important for this Council and UN Member States to continue to address the accountability gap in Sri Lanka – including by supporting the work of my Office.

The Council and individual States can help to create the conditions and political will for meaningful accountability and reconciliation.

Towards that end, States can take action through their own domestic systems, as well as through international fora, including – for example – through the processes set out in the UN human rights treaties.

Mr. President,

People and communities across Sri Lanka have experienced upheaval and distress for far too long.

It is high time to bring closure to the past. To break a destructive cycle that leads to more violence and creates more victims.

And to begin an inclusive journey towards a just and sustainable future for all Sri Lankans.

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Presidential Suite at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital opened to the public

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/27

Priyan

The special ward at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, which had until now been reserved exclusively for the use of the Executive President, was opened for the public for the provision of medical treatment to the general public from Tuesday (24).

This decision was taken jointly by the Ministry of Health and the hospital administration, in accordance with instructions given by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Constructed in 1984 with a grant from the Government of Japan, Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital was originally established with a capacity of 1,000 beds. However, in line with the initial design, an additional special unit, designated as Room No. 1001, was included exclusively for the personal use of the Executive President.

Over the 42 years since the hospital’s establishment, this facility has been utilised only on a very limited number of occasions. Nevertheless, it has been maintained over the years in anticipation of a possible visit by a sitting President, without being made available for patient use.

With effect from today, this special unit will be utilised for the benefit of general patients receiving treatment at the hospital. This step has been taken in line with the Government’s policy of ensuring the more efficient use of public assets and resources to meet the healthcare needs of the people.

News

Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed to streamline the Public Service meets for the second time

Published

3 hours ago

2026/03/27

Priyan

The second meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed to ensure the orderly functioning of the public service was held on Tuesday (24) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya.

Extensive discussions were held on the immediate measures required to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of government services to the public and to address the challenges faced by public servants.

Attention was also drawn to maintaining the continuous operation of services under the Ministries of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Health, Education, and Justice. Accordingly, it was decided to ensure that examinations are conducted as scheduled and that essential medicines are supplied to hospitals without disruption.

The challenges in passenger transport services and the railway transport system, as well as future measures, were also discussed at length. Focus was also placed on the steps to be taken regarding the transportation of essential goods.

In addition, attention was given to introducing digital service systems to facilitate working from home and to enhance the efficiency of existing services. It was also noted that these activities would be supervised under the Ministry of Digital Economy.

Instructions were further issued to review the current energy management practices across all ministries and departments and to take steps to implement necessary policy changes.

Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government A. H. M. M. H. Abeyaratne, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy Professor T. M. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy T. R. W. S. Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ayesha Jinasena, PC, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, and Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation D. J. A. S. S. Rajakaruna, along with other committee members, were also present at the occasion.

News

Energy Minister indicted on corruption charges ahead of no-faith motion against him

Published

13 hours ago

2026/03/27

Thilina Walpola

Jayakody

… first NPPer to face charges under Section 70 of Bribery Act

Colombo High Court has issued summons on Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody to appear in court today (27) to serve indictment in a corruption case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). Action has been taken under Section 70 of the Bribery Act. The losses suffered by the government have been estimated at Rs. 8,859,708.

National List (NL) MP Jayakody is the first NPP minister or politician at any level to be indicted for corruption. The NPP parliamentary group consists of 159 including 18 NL members.

The summons has been issued by High Court judge Rashantha Godawalage.

Although CIABOC previously in many instances arrested those who had been under investigation and produced them before Magistrate courts, Minister Jayakody has been directly summoned by the Colombo High Court.

The investigation into alleged corruption in procurement during the time Jayakody served the Ceylon Fertilizer Corporation (CFC) started after the change of government in 2015.

According to the CIABOC investigation, the alleged instance of corruption took place in early 2014 towards the tail end of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second term. At that time Jayakody was CFC’s Procurement Manager, and the CIABOC dragged the investigation until its current leadership under overall speeding up of the cases recently completed the inquiry.

Parliament recently announced that the debate on no-faith motion moved against Minister Jayakody over alleged irregularities in the procurement of substandard coal for the country’s only coal-fired power station at Norochcholai.

SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said that the NPP, having campaigned on an anti-corruption platform during presidential and parliamentary polls in 2025 couldn’t under any circumstances shield minister Jayakody. The indictment of Jayakody over a corruption case that had happened in 2014 and the failure on his part to fulfill obligations as Energy Minister under the current dispensation couldn’t be considered separately, the Colombo District MP said.

The issue at hand is whether the NPP would try to protect Jayakody at the expense of the government, MP Rahman said. Once the NPPer is formally charged in a corruption case the government would find it extremely difficult to keep him in the cabinet, the former UNPer said.

SJB lawmaker S.M. Marrikar recently warned Minister Jayakody that he should be prepared to serve a jail term. The warning was issued at a media briefing that primarily dealt with the alleged irregularities in the procurement of coal and their decision to move a no-faith motion against the minister. Marrikar explained how the crisis coupled with the growing diesel shortage could compel the government to increase electricity tariffs by as much as 18 percent next week. MP Marikkar said that they were eagerly waiting to see who backs Jayakody at the expense of the government during the upcoming vote on the no-faith motion.

There had been a previous case of a sitting minister being charged under the Bribery Act in respect of corruption perpetrated as a government servant. MP Rahman said that they intended to intensify the ongoing campaign against the government on the strength of the unprecedented corruption case and the outcome of the no-faith motion. “Of course, they have the numbers to defeat our no-faith motion. But, in doing so, they end up with egg on their face. That is the reality,” Rahman said, adding that those responsible for waste, corruption and irregularities whichever political parties they represented shouldn’t expect special status.

MP Rahman alleged that the CIABOC granted special status to Minister Jayakody. All those who had been indicted previously were first called to the CIABOC, recorded their statements and then arrested, handcuffed and produced in court. The media was afforded the opportunity to cover their humiliation, MP Rahman said, but in this case the powers that be paved the way for the accused to receive indictments directly from the Colombo High Court.

“Let us see whether the Bar Association of Sri Lanka responds to this development,” MP Rahman said.

By Shamindra Ferdinando