As the Right to Life Human Rights Center, a leading organization advocating for human rights and democratic space in Sri Lanka, we urge the Government of Sri Lanka to meaningfully implement the stipulations of the latest resolution, A/HRC/60/L.1/Rev.1, adopted at the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on October 7, 2025.
This resolution unequivocally affirms the international community’s sustained commitment to supporting the critical reforms necessary to achieve the accountability, reconciliation, and justice that Sri Lankan citizens have demanded for decades.
🏛️ Democratic Devolution and Human Rights Safeguards
Our attention is specifically drawn to several crucial and timely calls within the resolution that address the fundamental causes of political and social instability:
- Restoration of Provincial Councils: We particularly welcome the call to fulfill the commitment to devolve meaningful political authority by immediately holding Provincial Council elections in all provinces, consistent with the Thirteenth Amendment (13A) to the Constitution. This action is essential for achieving a viable political solution and strengthening national unity.
- PTA and OSA Reforms: The demand to repeal or substantially reform the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to align with international human rights norms is critical. The PTA has enabled years of arbitrary detentions, disproportionately affecting Tamil and Muslim communities. Furthermore, the imperative to reform the Online Safety Act (OSA) to protect the freedom of expression is a vital step in safeguarding the democratic space against overly broad state restrictions.
🔒 Upholding the Rule of Law and Personal Liberty
A core human rights recommendation is the call for the Government to review or release unjust detentions and to reduce the use of pretrial detention. This is a decisive step toward affirming the rule of law and providing relief to individuals who have been incarcerated for extended periods without due process.
🔍 Accountability, Truth, and Healing the Past
The resolution places a strong emphasis on addressing long-standing impunity through concrete action:
- Independent Prosecutorial Mechanism: The call to establish or strengthen an independent prosecutorial body or Special Counsel tasked with investigating serious human rights violations, including war-related crimes, is a key measure required to dismantle Sri Lanka’s culture of impunity.
- Mass Graves Investigations: We welcome the demand for the expeditious conduct of exhumations at identified mass grave sites with international technical support. This is a crucial acknowledgement of the right of families of the disappeared to uncover the truth.
- Reparations and Reconciliation: We commend the emphasis on providing reparations and rehabilitation for victims and survivors, consistent with international standards. Crucially, the resolution stresses the importance of guaranteeing the full participation of victims in reconciliation processes, including the protection of the Right to Commemoration—a fundamental aspect of dignity and truth-seeking.
💰 Good Governance and Combating Corruption
The resolution adds an important dimension by calling on the Government to take effective measures to combat corruption and mismanagement. Recognizing the direct link between corruption, the economic crisis, and human rights violations, this demand is pivotal for enhancing transparency and good governance and achieving long-term socio-economic stability.
The Right to Life Human Rights Center emphatically reminds the Government that accepting these international obligations and implementing the resolution’s provisions expeditiously and meaningfully is not merely a political necessity but a moral imperative for the future of all Sri Lankans. This is not a step backward; it is a vital step forward.