The United Nations Human Rights Council has taken a courageous stand by extending its mandate to gather evidence of human rights violations and war crimes in Sri Lanka for two more years, a decision made on October 6. This renewal is not just a bureaucratic formality; it represents a critical lifeline for victims of the egregious abuses that occurred during the civil war, which lasted from 1983 to 2009. Despite the relentless efforts of successive Sri Lankan governments to obstruct accountability, this initiative offers a glimmer of hope that justice will eventually prevail.
The civil war in Sri Lanka was marred by horrific acts committed by both the government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). From indiscriminate attacks on civilians to extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and the recruitment of child soldiers, the atrocities were both systemic and systematic. In the final throes of the conflict, an estimated 40,000 Tamil civilians lost their lives, caught in a deadly crossfire where the LTTE exploited the population as human shields while the Sri Lankan army bombarded areas it designated as “safe zones.” This dark chapter of history is marked not just by violence, but by a profound denial of humanity.
Sri Lankan authorities have consistently refused to acknowledge these atrocities. Instead, they have utilized state security forces to intimidate, surveil, and silence the families of victims. The UN Sri Lanka Accountability Project, established in 2021, was a necessary response to the government’s backtracking on commitments to create a hybrid justice mechanism. This project is crucial for documenting the truth and holding perpetrators accountable, even as the government continues to resist transparency.
The current administration under President Dissanayake, who assumed office in 2024, presents a facade of moderation compared to its predecessors. However, it is essential to scrutinize this apparent shift. While Dissanayake has made overtures towards reconciliation and has pledged to address some high-profile cases, the lack of tangible progress is stark. Victims are left grappling with the haunting memories of broken promises, and the government’s refusal to engage with the UN project is a clear indication of its unwillingness to confront its past.
For genuine healing and justice to occur, the Dissanayake government must move beyond rhetoric. It must honor its commitments to domestic truth-telling and accountability by implementing concrete actions that build public trust. The discovery of at least 20 mass graves in Sri Lanka serves as a grim reminder of the unresolved atrocities. However, the lack of investigations into these sites is an affront to the victims and their families. The government must ensure that excavations at the Chemmani mass grave near Jaffna are completed, providing adequate resources for DNA testing and thorough investigations.
Moreover, the government has a moral obligation to put an end to the harassment and intimidation of victim families, human rights defenders, and journalists, particularly in the northern and eastern regions of the country. The repressive legal framework that enables these violations must be dismantled. Promises to repeal oppressive laws and establish an independent prosecutor must be fulfilled, and the prosecution of emblematic cases is non-negotiable.
As long as justice remains elusive within Sri Lanka, the UN’s evidence-gathering initiative plays an indispensable role in supporting potential prosecutions abroad under the principle of universal jurisdiction. The families of victims deserve not just acknowledgement of their suffering, but a resolute commitment to justice. The time for Sri Lanka to confront its past is now; the world is watching, and accountability is not just an ideal, but a fundamental human right.
This article highlights the importance of for Justice Continues.
