UN Calls for Faster Action on Easter Attacks, Disappearances

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has stated that while Sri Lanka's Government has pledged to address a number of long-standing human rights concerns and advance accountability and institutional reforms, there is a risk that efforts aimed at ensuring truth, justice, reconciliation and meaningful reform could lose momentum.

The assessment is contained in the latest report on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, which is due to be presented to the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The report reviews developments from October 2025 to July 2026 and examines the Government's commitments relating to reconciliation, accountability and human rights.

According to the report, Sri Lanka faced multiple challenges during the review period, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, economic pressures linked to external shocks, and the continuing effects of global conflicts.

The OHCHR noted that these developments diverted resources and political attention away from reform initiatives and accountability efforts.

The report acknowledges that the Government elected in late 2024 committed itself to a number of reforms, including combating corruption, establishing an independent public prosecutor's office, addressing accountability for the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and other emblematic cases, and repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). However, the report notes that meaningful reforms in several of these areas have yet to materialize.

The report also gives attention to a number of emblematic cases that have become symbols of Sri Lanka's long struggle for accountability and justice.

Eastern University Vice Chancellor Sivasubramaniam Raveendranath Disappearance (2006)

Murder of Parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj (2006)

Action Contre La Faim (ACF) Aid Worker Massacre (2006)

Disappearance of Journalist and Cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda (2010)

Enforced Disappearances

Chemmani-Sithuppaththi Mass Grave

Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

Easter Sunday Attacks (2019)

The report recognizes significant investigative and judicial activity relating to the Easter Sunday terror attacks. These include the arrest of former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay, the imposition of travel restrictions on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and two former intelligence officers, and the conviction and sentencing of former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando. Despite these developments, the OHCHR states that concerns remain regarding due process, public access to proceedings and adherence to international fair trial standards.

The report concludes that while some movement has occurred in several prominent cases, victims and affected communities continue to await comprehensive truth, justice and accountability, making these emblematic cases central to Sri Lanka's broader reconciliation and human rights agenda.