The Sri Lanka Core Group, comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the United Kingdom, raised a series of concerns related to human rights, reconciliation, and transitional justice in Sri Lanka during a statement delivered at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Delivering the statement on behalf of the group, Eleonor Sanders, the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, first extended condolences to Sri Lanka for the losses caused by Cyclone Ditwah in November.
The Core Group acknowledged the Sri Lankan Government’s recent steps to allow communities of different backgrounds to commemorate losses from the conflict period, describing memorialisation as vital to reconciliation. The statement encouraged continued progress in this area.
Reiterating longstanding concerns, the group once again called for the repeal and non‑use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). It also expressed alarm that the latest version of the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill ‘raises even greater concerns than previously,’ stressing that all counter‑terrorism legislation must comply with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations.
While noting that some military‑held land has been released, the Core Group said the pace remains ‘too slow.’ It also took note of recent commitments by Sri Lanka’s President on transitional justice, anti‑racism, and emblematic human rights cases, but warned that ‘concrete results are still limited.’
According to the statement, key institutions remain weak, and threats continue against witnesses, victims and journalists involved in sensitive cases.
The group underscored the need for strong, independent domestic institutions to uphold human rights and urged Sri Lanka to ensure that its planned independent prosecutor’s office is fully implemented.
The statement also thanked the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for its report on conflict‑related sexual violence and paid tribute to survivors who shared their experiences. The Core Group urged Sri Lanka to engage constructively, strengthen legal protections, and ensure justice for survivors.
Sanders delivered the address on behalf of the collection of countries committed to monitoring Sri Lanka’s human rights situation through the UN Human Rights Council framework.