September 09, Colombo (LNW): Addressing the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, affirmed Sri Lanka’s determination to pursue a path of meaningful reform, national unity, and democratic renewal.
He underscored the new administration’s resolve to reshape the country’s political culture and uphold the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of background or affiliation.
The remarks were delivered during the Council’s Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka, where Herath reiterated the government’s position that reconciliation and progress must be anchored in nationally-led, inclusive processes.
He appealed to the international community to extend both time and space for these efforts to take root, noting that positive strides had already been made within a relatively brief span under the current government.
The Minister also highlighted that the domestic reform agenda was being pursued with renewed political will and openness to dialogue, adding that significant work had been undertaken to build bridges between communities, promote accountability, and create lasting structures for justice and equity. The overarching message was one of engagement—not avoidance—and of partnership rather than imposition.
His intervention came amid a wide-ranging dialogue in which representatives from 43 countries participated, reflecting a diverse spectrum of international opinion. Several states, including those representing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and a range of nations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, expressed clear support for Sri Lanka’s approach.
These countries welcomed Colombo’s willingness to cooperate with the Council and acknowledged the visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to Sri Lanka earlier this year as a positive step towards greater transparency and collaboration. Many also recognised the concrete progress the country had made, particularly in areas such as legislative reform, institutional renewal, and intercommunal dialogue.
A recurring concern voiced by a number of states was the risk posed by externally imposed accountability frameworks. Some questioned the allocation of limited UN resources to mechanisms that, in their view, could duplicate or undermine ongoing domestic efforts. Several delegations warned that such approaches could inadvertently deepen divisions rather than support reconciliation.
Others raised objections to the perceived politicisation of human rights discourse, arguing that targeted country-specific mechanisms ran counter to the Council’s principles of fairness, impartiality, and respect for sovereignty. They called instead for a spirit of constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and genuine cooperation as the only viable path to advancing human rights in any context.
In a related statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that High Commissioner Türk, during his visit in June, had the opportunity to meet with a broad cross-section of Sri Lankan society—from political leaders and civil society groups to religious and community figures. These interactions, the Ministry said, reflected Sri Lanka’s openness to engage on difficult issues and its willingness to listen.
Sri Lanka’s delegation to the 60th UNHRC session was led by Minister Herath and included senior diplomatic and ministerial officials such as Ambassador Himalee Arunatilaka, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva; Dayani Mendis, Director General for the United Nations and Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; as well as members of the Permanent Mission in Geneva.
