UN Report Details Systemic Rights Abuses Under Sri Lankan President Dissanayake, calls for Renewed Mandates
Breaking News: A comprehensive report released by the United Nations Human Rights office has illuminated persistent and deeply rooted human rights violations within Sri Lanka, even under the administration of president Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The findings underscore the alarming continuation of arbitrary detention, torture, and fatalities occurring while individuals are in state custody.
The United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner, Volker Türk, has presented a stark assessment of Sri Lanka’s human rights landscape, detailing how draconian laws are still being weaponized to silence families and activists who are tirelessly campaigning for justice. The report explicitly states that continued international engagement through the UN Human Rights Council is “essential” for addressing these deeply entrenched issues.
Enduring Violations and Broken Promises
Human Rights Watch observed that President Dissanayake’s election campaign, which promised a delivery of justice, has resulted in minimal tangible improvements. Meenakshi Ganguly, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, commented, “President Dissanayake’s election campaign pledges to deliver justice have resulted in few real changes.” She urged the UN Human Rights Council to take heed of the High Commissioner’s findings regarding enduring abuses by security agencies and to implement decisive actions.
During his 2024 election campaign, President Dissanayake had pledged to repeal the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a law notorious for facilitating torture and prolonged arbitrary detention. Amendments to the Online Safety Act, which critics argue threatens freedom of expression, and the establishment of an independent public prosecutor to bolster accountability were also promised. However, the government has largely failed to implement these crucial pledges. instead, the High Commissioner noted that “the structural conditions that led to past violations persist.”
The Pervasive Impact of the Prevention of Terrorism Act
The continued application of counterterrorism legislation is a particularly grave concern. The UN High Commissioner’s report indicates an increase in the use of the PTA, with cases rising from 38 in the entirety of 2024 to 49 within the first five months of 2025. This law is frequently employed against members of the Tamil and Muslim communities. Furthermore, the report meticulously describes the “routine use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment” alongside multiple instances of deaths in police custody, often compounded by a “lack of effective inquiry into these cases.” The human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka reported to Human Rights Watch in July that it had reviewed 736 torture complaints in the previous year alone.
| Violation Type | Reported Trends | Affected Communities |
|---|---|---|
| Arbitrary Detention | Continued use of PTA, enabling prolonged detention | Primarily Tamil and Muslim minorities |
| Torture and Ill-treatment | routine use reported, lack of effective investigations | Individuals in custody, including victims’ families |
| Deaths in Custody | Multiple cases noted, lack of accountability | Individuals in state custody |
| Suppression of Dissent | Harassment of activists, families of disappeared; misuse of laws | Human rights defenders, victims’ families, civil society |
Surveillance and Intimidation Persist
The UN report highlighted that Sri Lanka’s surveillance apparatus, particularly in the northern and eastern regions, remains largely intact with minimal central government oversight. This has unfortunately fostered continued patterns of “intimidation and harassment of families of the disappeared, community leaders, civil society actors, especially those working on accountability for enforced disappearances.” Those who have engaged with the Human Rights Council have also reportedly faced targeting.
Non-governmental organizations and human rights activists continue to face government suppression, including limitations on funding and frequent interrogations by the Terrorism Investigation Division. Many activists report visits from officers at their homes and offices, creating an environment of fear and hindering their work.
Accountability for Past Atrocities Remains Elusive
The report also underscores the critical need for justice for victims of the long civil war, as well as for those subjected to enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings during the 1987-1989 uprising. The discovery of approximately 20 mass graves, with five currently under investigation, points to the scale of past atrocities. Human Rights Watch advocates for international support to ensure sufficient resources for the preservation and exhumation of these sites, adhering to international forensic standards.
Though, numerous high-profile cases exemplify the state’s “unwillingness or inability to prosecute and punish alleged perpetrators.” Regarding the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which claimed over 250 lives, the report notes the failure of successive governments to provide a comprehensive account of how the attacks were enabled, particularly concerning the role of the security establishment. The UN expressed concern that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence continue to experience fear of retaliation, social stigma, and a profound lack of trust in justice mechanisms.
While some progress has been made in pursuing corruption cases since president Dissanayake took office, the government, like its predecessors, has not acknowledged its responsibility for past abuses, especially the military’s role in serious international crimes. This continued lack of accountability exacerbates the suffering of victims and their families.
The Path Forward: Renewed Council Engagement
Given these ongoing abuses, Human Rights Watch emphasizes the importance of sustained Human Rights Council support for the UN Sri lanka Accountability Project and its monitoring and reporting mechanisms. The council is urged to call upon the Sri Lankan government to cease its surveillance and harassment of victims’ families and human rights activists and to impose an immediate moratorium on the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
“after a year in office, President Dissanayake has not substantially improved Sri Lanka’s terrible human rights record,” Ganguly stated. “Continuing engagement by the Human Rights Council and renewal of the accountability project is crucial so long as the government fails in its obligation to respect and protect the rights of all Sri Lankans.”
The international community’s vigilance and continued pressure are vital to ensure that Sri Lanka moves towards a future where human rights are respected and perpetrators of past atrocities are held accountable. The upcoming session of the Human Rights Council will be a critical juncture for renewing these mandates and demonstrating sustained commitment to justice and human rights in Sri Lanka.
Evergreen Insights: Protecting human Rights Amidst Political Transitions
The situation in Sri Lanka serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges in achieving transitional justice and upholding human rights,even following changes in political leadership. Several key principles and insights remain relevant over time:
- The Importance of Independent Oversight: As seen with the Sri Lankan surveillance apparatus, robust and independent oversight mechanisms are crucial to prevent abuses of power. Without them,security agencies can operate with impunity.
- The Dangers of Vague Legislation: Laws like the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) often contain broad definitions that can be easily exploited to target dissent and minority groups. Calls for clear,rights-respecting legislation are paramount in any democracy.
- The Role of Civil Society: Activists and non-governmental organizations are vital in advocating for justice and accountability.Protecting their space and ensuring their safety is basic to a healthy society. Protecting civil liberties is also key.
- Transitional Justice is a Long-Term Process: Addressing past grievances, particularly those stemming from conflict or state-sponsored violence, requires sustained effort, political will, and international support. Progress is often incremental.
- Accountability as a Foundation for Stability: True peace and stability cannot be built on a foundation of impunity. Holding perpetrators accountable, whether through domestic or international mechanisms, is essential for reconciliation and preventing future violations.
frequently Asked Questions About Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Situation
Here are answers to some common questions regarding the recent UN report and the human rights context in Sri Lanka.
What are the key human rights concerns highlighted in the UN report on Sri Lanka?
The UN Human Rights office report details systemic rights violations in Sri Lanka, including arbitrary detention, torture, deaths in custody, and the misuse of laws to suppress activists and victims’ families. The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) remains a significant concern.
Has President Dissanayake’s administration addressed human rights pledges?
Despite election pledges to repeal oppressive laws like the PTA and ensure accountability, the UN High Commissioner found that structural conditions for past violations persist and pledges have seen few real changes.
What is the impact of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in Sri Lanka?
The PTA is reportedly used disproportionately against Tamil and Muslim communities, enabling torture and prolonged arbitrary detention. Its use has increased, with the UN noting routine torture and deaths in custody lacking effective investigations.
How does the UN Human Rights Council engage with the situation in Sri Lanka?
The Human Rights Council has mandated regular reporting on Sri Lanka and established the UN Sri Lanka Accountability Project to gather evidence for future prosecutions. Continued engagement and renewal of these mandates are deemed essential.
What are the findings regarding families of the disappeared and civil society actors?
The UN report indicates that the surveillance apparatus continues with minimal oversight, leading to intimidation and harassment of families of the disappeared and civil society actors, particularly those advocating for accountability. many face suppression of their activities and funding limitations.
What progress has been made on accountability for past atrocities in Sri Lanka?
The report points to an ‘unwillingness or inability of the State to prosecute and punish alleged perpetrators’ in numerous emblematic cases, including the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The government has also failed to acknowledge systemic responsibility for abuses by security forces.
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