United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has warned Sri Lanka against falling into the “impunity trap” and urged the NPP government “to hold to account the perpetrators of the most severe crimes”. He said so at a meeting in Colombo on Tuesday (24).
Türk arrived in Colombo on Monday on a four-day visit.
“In our complex and violent global landscape, there may be lessons for Sri Lanka – and lessons that the world needs to learn from Sri Lanka,” said Türk, as he tackled two main themes in his remarks.
“Today, Sri Lanka is threatened by two traps: the impunity trap, and the inequality trap.
“Many States have experienced years of war, internal armed conflict or repression,” he said. “Some have been able to achieve genuine reconciliation… A steady, unwavering focus on the voices and rights of victims – and their families – is essential to this work.”
“But it is also vital to hold to account the perpetrators of the most severe crimes,” he continued. “Vital for justice. Vital for deterrence. Vital for the victims who have suffered inconceivable pain and loss. Vital for the future.”
He shared a personal anecdote as an Austrian, noting how his country only fully confronted its role in Nazi atrocities decades later. “I know that coming to terms with the reality of massacres, terrorism, enforced disappearances, torture or sexual violence is a very painful process,” he said, but stressed the danger of ignoring victims’ suffering or allowing “revisionist narratives” to flourish.
He stressed that justice and acknowledgment of past atrocities were not just matters of history, but essential prerequisites for sustainable peace and development.
“Commissions and inquiries that lead nowhere, or whose recommendations are never implemented, will erode public trust and compound the trauma for victims,” the High Commissioner continued. “I want to emphasise this point: an absence of justice will undermine the stability of peace. Conversely, acknowledging the truth creates the space for justice and reparations – and ultimately, healing.
“Accountability and justice, including full acknowledgment of the truth of what was done to people, shape the path to lasting reconciliation.”
The current Sri Lankan government has, like others before it, rejected UN resolutions on accountability for mass atrocities and refused to co-operate with any international justice mechanisms.
He also warned of growing social and economic inequalities and said “states can make human rights central to all policies relating to the economy and business – investing in people’s access to quality education and healthcare; to universal social protection; to decent work; to food, clean water, sanitation and housing; and to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment”.
Reiterating the need for economic policies grounded in human rights, Türk referenced global models for universal social protection and called for reforms to international financial institutions to ease debt burdens.
Reflecting on the 2022 Aragalaya protests, he described them as a collective expression of “aspirations of Sri Lankans for a new, more just society and a more humane social order”.
The UN Rights chief concluded by reiterating his commitment to supporting victims of violations and to cooperating with Sri Lankan authorities. He described his office as offering “a mirror” to the country – one that may reflect “an uncomfortable image” but reveals truth.
“Sri Lanka is at a key moment,” he concluded. “This can be a new chapter and a new opportunity… Against a backdrop of deepening global threats, this country can show the world that a society can turn its back on violence, and build a new path towards respect, inclusive prosperity, and peace.”
Türk has previously raised alarm over Sri Lanka’s continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), calling for an immediate moratorium on its use. He has also urged the government to ensure that any replacement legislation complies with international human rights standards. Further concerns include the Online Safety Act and the ICCPR Act, which have been criticised for unduly restricting freedoms of opinion, expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The event was organized by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs.
During the ceremony, ThaiPongal rituals were performed under the patronage of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The celebration was enriched with a range of vibrant cultural performances of Hindu culture and traditions.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Environment Minister Dammika Patabedi said yesterday he had ordered an inquiry into the withdrawal of China-based Amber Adventures (Private) Ltd., from the Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project.Addressing the media, the Minister said the Environment Ministry had no direct agreement with the company, as the project was under the purview of the Board of Investment (BOI).
He said construction activities within the Ambuluwawa Environmental Zone had been suspended following complaints from environmental organisations in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. All constructions in high-risk areas, he said, had been halted pending clearance by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO).
According to the Minister, complaints had been received that construction at Ambuluwawa was continuing without NBRO clearance.
In response, the Ministry instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to conduct an investigation and thereafter construction activities were suspended pending a technical assessment by experts.
The Ministry of Environment subsequently ordered the immediate suspension of all construction activities within the Ambuluwawa Environmental Zone until the assessment was completed, he said, adding that work could resume if expert evaluations cleared the project.
Following the suspension, Amber Adventures (Private) Ltd,, described as the country’s first cable car venture, formally withdrew from the project, citing what it termed “regulatory obstruction and arbitrary state action.”
The company, a major Chinese investor in the project, proposed as Sri Lanka’s first cable car initiative with both Chinese and American investment, officially informed the BOI of its decision on Wednesday (14). In a letter to the BOI, the company said it had obtained all required permits and approvals in line with BOI procedures but faced repeated disruptions that resulted in significant financial losses.
Company Director Yuan Yuping warned that legal action would be pursued at the International Court of Arbitration to recover losses incurred due to the suspension of the project, citing continuous interruptions and government decisions as the cause.
Meanwhile, the Ambuluwawa Trust Board said the withdrawal of investors from the project was a major loss to the country, noting that it was regrettable that decisions had been taken without proper investigation, based on allegations by parties lacking a clear understanding of the facts.
It warned that halting a large-scale project of that nature would result in the loss of direct and indirect employment opportunities, as well as income sources for communities in the surrounding areas.
By Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake ✍️
Balangoda Kassapa Thero, held in Trincomalee remand prison over alleged violations of the Coastal Conservation Act, reportedly refused meals yesterday (15).
Prison authorities, however, said it could not be confirmed whether the monk’s action amounted to a hunger strike. Prison Media Spokesperson A. C. Gajanayake added that an official statement on the matter would be issued today (16).
The monk and eight others were remanded until 19 Jan by the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court over allegations of unauthorised construction of a shelter to place a Buddha statue at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraj Viharaya. Prison sources said Thero had also declined food brought from outside.
The case follows reports to the court by the Trincomalee Harbour Police that unauthorised constructions had been carried out, despite instructions from the Court of Appeal to resolve the dispute peacefully.
by Chaminda Silva ✍️
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