Maarit Kohonen Sheriff, Director of the Global Operations Division at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, has called on the Sri Lankan government to lift unnecessary regulations and restrictions on civil society and independent media to revive civic space.
Speaking at the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council, Sheriff emphasized that this is a crucial opportunity for Sri Lanka to make meaningful progress on accountability and human rights, thereby healing societal divisions and breaking the cycle of impunity that has plagued the country.
Following the presidential and parliamentary elections late last year, the National People’s Power Coalition secured a large majority in Parliament, signaling a decisive mandate from the Sri Lankan people to undertake transformative social, political, and economic reforms.
She noted that President Kumara Dissanayake, in his inaugural address to Parliament, acknowledged the harms caused by decades of ethnic divisions and racism, and that he pledged to address long-standing human rights concerns, including tackling corruption and ensuring accountability for the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and other significant cases.
Sheriff highlighted the need for these commitments to extend to large-scale violations that occurred during the civil war and prior insurgencies. She urged thorough investigations, justice for victims, and accountability for perpetrators. The new government has taken an initial step by appointing an expert panel to establish an independent prosecutor’s office.
The OHCHR also called for reforms to strengthen the Office of Missing Persons and the amendment of problematic legislation, such as the Oppressive Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Online Safety Act.
Sheriff stressed that all new laws must comply with Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations and be developed transparently and inclusively.
“Our office continues to receive reports of surveillance and intimidation by security agents in the North and East, highlighting the need for more fundamental security sector reforms. We urge the new government to lift unnecessary regulation and restrictions on civil society and independent media to revive the civic space. This is an important opportunity in Sri Lanka’s history that must now translate into meaningful progress on accountability and human rights to heal societal divisions and break the cycle of impunity that has for so long wracked Sri Lanka’s past,” she added in her statement.
Sheriff reiterated the OHCHR’s readiness to support Sri Lanka and expressed hope for tangible results to be reported to the Council in September.
