SC verdict on 22A likely on Sept 18

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 6, 2026

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva will respond to a forthcoming UN report highlighting ongoing human rights abuses, including prison overcrowding and restrictions on NGOs. The government’s reply will address recent prison unrest and outline reforms amid calls for an independent judicial mechanism to investigate serious violations and potential sanctions against perpetrators.

Sri Lanka is set to formally respond to a forthcoming update on its human rights situation at the United Nations, with its Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Sumith Dassanayaka, scheduled to address the matter tomorrow. This follows the submission of a written report by UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk, who has raised ongoing concerns regarding various human rights issues in the country.

The Sri Lankan government has received an advance copy of the High Commissioner’s report and is preparing a comprehensive response. Officials have indicated that the government will also address recent incidents of unrest in prisons and outline steps taken to alleviate overcrowding in correctional facilities.

In his report, High Commissioner Turk emphasized the need for prison reforms, highlighting systemic problems such as violence and overcrowding. He recommended that imprisonment should be used only as a last resort and advocated for a health-focused approach toward addressing drug-related issues.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed deep concerns about persistent human rights violations in Sri Lanka. These include ongoing surveillance, threats, intimidation, and violence directed at victims of conflict, journalists, and members of civil society. The OHCHR also pointed to continued instances of arbitrary arrests, detention, torture, and deaths in custody, despite repeated recommendations made to the government.

Additionally, the report underscored excessive restrictions imposed on non-governmental organizations, including stringent funding controls and administrative hurdles, which hamper their operating capacity.

To address these challenges, the OHCHR has urged Sri Lanka to consider establishing a special judicial mechanism with an independent special counsel tasked with investigating cases of serious human rights violations. The office also recommended that the government explore the adoption of targeted sanctions, such as asset freezes and travel bans, against individuals credibly linked to grave breaches of international human rights or humanitarian law.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.