UK Core Group Statement to introduce Item 2 Resolution on Sri Lanka. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I have the honour to introduce draft resolution L1 Rev1 on behalf of the core group comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom.
Let me begin by paying tribute to Dr. Kasipillai Manoharan, who sadly passed away during this session. Dr. Manoharan was a tireless advocate for justice following the killing of his son, Ragihar, one of five students murdered in Trincomalee in 2006 in an emblematic human rights case. Dr Manoharan’s unwavering pursuit of truth and accountability, including his campaign at the United Nations and his presence at this Council, inspired many. His passing is a solemn reminder that too many family members have passed away without seeing justice for their loved ones, or without knowing the fate of those who were disappeared.
For those who remain – survivors, families, communities – their call for truth and justice grows ever more urgent.
Mr. President,
This draft resolution acknowledges the steps taken and the commendable commitments made by the current Sri Lankan Government to address long-standing human rights concerns, and the deep wounds left by decades of ethnic conflict. We urge the Government to translate these commitments into tangible action.
The exhumation of mass graves holds the potential to deliver long-awaited answers to families. It is imperative that these investigations are conducted in a manner that, ensures they support future identification efforts and uphold the dignity of victims.
The establishment of an independent prosecutor’s office would mark a vital step toward dismantling the entrenched impunity surrounding conflict-era violations and abuses.
The repeal and reform of key legislation in line with international standards, notably the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Online Safety Act, would demonstrate a meaningful shift in approach;
And an end to the surveillance and intimidation of human rights defenders and families of the disappeared is essential to rebuild trust and foster reconciliation.
As these efforts progress, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights continues to play a crucial role – through technical assistance, reporting, and its work to advance accountability.
We extend sincere thanks to the Sri Lankan delegation and to all delegations who have engaged constructively on this resolution. We have worked hard to strike the right balance between recognising progress and urging action on the challenges that remain.
We hope that all members of this Council will adopt this draft resolution without a vote.
Thank you.
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UN Human Rights Council 2025 Resolution 60.1
Passed without a vote, October 6, 2025
Welcomes the oral update presented by the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council at its fifty-eighth session and the report of
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights presented to the Council
at its current session;1
2.
Also welcomes the visit to Sri Lanka by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights in June 2025 at the invitation and with the facilitation of
the Government of Sri Lanka, and the engagement of the Government with the Office of the
High Commissioner and the special procedures of the Human Rights Council, encourages
the continuation of such engagement and dialogue, and calls upon the Government to actively
consider the recommendations made by the Office and the special procedures;
3.
Recognizes the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka towards
accountability for corruption and economic mismanagement, which had a significant
detrimental impact on the enjoyment of human rights in Sri Lanka, and encourages further
action in this regard, including investigations into and, where warranted, the prosecution of
corruption, including where committed by current and former public officials;
4.
Welcomes the recognition by the Government of Sri Lanka of the immense
suffering endured by Sri Lanka due to ethnic conflicts and its commitment not to allow a
resurgence of divisive racist politics, its recognition of the shared pain and grief of individuals
in all communities and its commitment to guarantee democracy, to restore the rule of law and
to create a society free from discrimination;
5.
Welcomes the commitment made by the Government of Sri Lanka to repeal the
Prevention of Terrorism Act and the appointment of a committee to examine its repeal, while
expressing concern at reports that detentions under that law continue, and have
disproportionately affected individuals from Tamil and Muslim communities, and urges the
Government to apply a moratorium on the use of the law, to expedite its repeal and to ensure
that any legislation on combating terrorism complies fully with the State’s obligations arising
from international law, including international human rights law;
6.
Welcomes the commitment made by the Government of Sri Lanka to amend
the Online Safety Act and the appointment of a committee to formulate amendments to the
law, while acknowledging concerns about the absence of judicial oversight in the Act and
broad definition of offences and enforcement powers, and encourages the Government to
expedite its amendment to ensure that the Act complies fully with the State’s international
obligations to protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
7.
Recognizes that many cases of enforced disappearance remain unresolved in
Sri Lanka, and the prolonged suffering this has caused to the families of the disappeared, and
the importance of the independent and effective functioning of the Office on Missing
Persons;
8.
Acknowledges the identification of multiple mass grave sites in Sri Lanka,
emphasizes the need for ongoing work to be provided with adequate resources, and urges the
1 A/HRC/60/21.
2
A/HRC/60/L.1/Rev.1
Government of Sri Lanka to seek international support proactively to ensure sufficient
financial, human and technical resources to conduct exhumations in accordance with
international standards;
9.
Welcomes the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to a renewed
direction on several long-standing issues, acknowledges the reopening of investigations into
some cases of human rights violations and the Easter Sunday bombings, and urges the
Government to accelerate investigations and prosecutions in compliance with international
human rights standards, to seek international technical assistance to strengthen capacities,
and to ensure the full participation of victims, survivors and their representatives, as well as
the protection of victims and witnesses;
10.
Acknowledges with appreciation the commitment of the Government of Sri
Lanka to establish an independent public prosecutorial body, and urges that the body be fully
independent, effective and robust;
11.
Calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure prompt, thorough and
impartial investigations into, and, if warranted, the prosecution of, all alleged crimes relating
to human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law, including
long-standing emblematic cases, with the full participation of victims and their
representatives;
12.
Urges the Government of Sri Lanka to create an enabling environment in
which representatives of civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, victims, survivors
and their families, especially women, are free from all forms of harassment and reprisals;
13.
Stresses the importance of releasing remaining lands still held and used
economically by the military and other State actors, and of resolving land disputes involving
archaeological, religious and conservation issues in ways that are transparent, consultative,
impartial and non-discriminatory;
14.
Decides to extend the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner and all
work requested of it by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 51/1 of 6 October 2022,
and requests the Office to present a written update at its sixty-third session, and a
comprehensive report on progress in reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri
Lanka at its sixty-sixth session, to be discussed during an interactive dialogue.