October 07, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has formally rejected a resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) during its 60th session in Geneva, voicing strong opposition to what it views as an unwarranted expansion of the Council’s mandate and external interference in domestic matters.
Ambassador Himalee Arunatilaka, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, delivered the country’s position, firmly declining support for Resolution 60/L.1/Rev.1. The resolution includes provisions to continue an external evidence-gathering mechanism on Sri Lanka, a move the government describes as both ad hoc and unprecedented.
Speaking to the Council, Ambassador Arunatilaka reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to open dialogue and acknowledged the constructive nature of discussions held with the resolution’s core group. While appreciating the willingness of some states to consider amendments proposed by Sri Lanka, she expressed regret that consensus could not be reached on several fundamental concerns.
“Our primary objection,” she explained, “relates to the continued reference to Resolution 51/1 of 2022, which authorised the establishment of an evidence-gathering mechanism within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). We view this as an unjustifiable and unilateral expansion of the Council’s mandate.”
The Ambassador reiterated Sri Lanka’s consistent position against the so-called “Sri Lanka Accountability Project”, stating that it undermines national efforts at fostering reconciliation and rebuilding trust among communities. According to her, Sri Lanka has made clear that it does not accept this mechanism and believes that the continuation of such initiatives only serves the agenda of politically motivated actors seeking to stoke division.
In defending its domestic approach, Sri Lanka highlighted recent reforms and institutional developments as part of its commitment to reconciliation and human rights. These include strengthening the independence and capacity of the Offices on Missing Persons and Reparations, enhancing the role of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, and the planned launch of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission along with an independent Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Addressing the Council, Ambassador Arunatilaka cited concerns about the credibility, transparency, and accountability of the OHCHR’s accountability mechanism, questioning its budget, mandate, and relevance. “After four years of operation,” she noted, “there is no evidence that this project has delivered any tangible benefit to the people of Sri Lanka.”
She warned that the continuation of externally imposed mechanisms could be counterproductive and might harm rather than support the government’s domestic reconciliation efforts.
Calling for greater respect for national sovereignty and context-driven processes, the Ambassador said: “Nationally owned solutions are far more effective and sustainable. They allow for local sensitivities, ensure broader community ownership, and ultimately make implementation more viable.”
She also referred to the recent visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Sri Lanka, during which he acknowledged the government’s openness and the positive momentum across sectors. That visit, she said, served as further confirmation that meaningful reform is underway and that the international community should give Sri Lanka the space and opportunity to pursue its own path.
In closing, Sri Lanka reiterated its position that long-term reconciliation and justice are best achieved through inclusive national efforts rather than externally driven mandates. The government reaffirmed its willingness to engage constructively with the international community—but strictly on terms that respect its sovereignty, legal system, and democratic processes.
