UN Rights Chief to Tour Kandy, Jaffna, and Trincomalee

COLOMBO (News 1st); United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today (23)for an official visit, marking the first such visit by a UN human rights chief since February 2016.

During his stay, Türk is expected to meet with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and other senior government officials.

His itinerary also includes discussions with religious leaders, civil society representatives, members of the diplomatic community, and officials from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.

As part of his visit, Türk will travel to Kandy, where he is expected to pay respects at the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic and meet with the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters.

The Foreign Ministry confirmed that the High Commissioner will also visit Jaffna and Trincomalee, where he will engage with provincial governors and local stakeholders.

The visit is aimed at strengthening ongoing cooperation between the Sri Lankan government and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), with a focus on promoting and protecting human rights and fostering reconciliation.

Türk is expected to remain in Sri Lanka until June 26.