Colombo, 8 September 2025 – Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to advancing accountability through domestic processes while opposing external mechanisms, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) this week.
Addressing the Council, Minister Herath emphasized that initiatives such as the Sri Lanka Accountability Project (SLAP) risk creating divisions within the country and impede efforts toward national reconciliation.
“The government remains firmly committed to promoting accountability through national processes that are inclusive and effective,” Herath said. “External mechanisms that bypass domestic institutions threaten to undermine unity and the progress we have made in reconciliation.”
Herath highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen local institutions and legal frameworks, ensuring that justice is served in a manner that reflects Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and commitment to human rights.
The statement comes amid ongoing international scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s post-conflict accountability measures, with calls from some quarters for greater involvement of external bodies. Sri Lanka’s delegation reiterated that while the country welcomes constructive engagement and dialogue, ultimate responsibility for justice must remain with domestic authorities.
The government’s stance underscores a broader approach to reconciliation: prioritizing internal solutions and fostering unity, rather than allowing external interventions that may exacerbate societal divisions.
