UNRIC Library Backgrounder: Sri Lanka

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UN Entities

• United Nations in Sri Lanka: https://srilanka.un.org/
  https://unsdg.un.org/un-in-action/sri-lanka
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights – Sri Lanka: https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/sri-lanka
  • Accountability for Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka (May 2024): https://tinyurl.com/yusnncjx
• UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA):
  • ReliefWeb (OCHA) – Sri Lanka: https://reliefweb.int/country/lka
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – Sri Lanka:
  https://www.unhcr.org/countries/sri-lanka
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Sri Lanka: https://www.fao.org/srilanka/en/
• International Fund for Agricultural Development – IFAD in Sri Lanka: https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/w/country/sri-lanka
• UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – Sri Lanka: https://www.unicef.org/srilanka/
• UN Development Programme (UNDP) – Sri Lanka: https://www.undp.org/srilanka
• World Bank – Sri Lanka: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/srilanka
• World Food Programme (WFP) – Sri Lanka: https://www.wfp.org/countries/sri-lanka
• World Health Organization (WHO) – Sri Lanka: https://www.who.int/countries/lka/en/

Human Rights Council

• 11th special session of the Human Rights Council: “The human rights situation
  in Sri Lanka”, Tuesday 26 May 2009: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/special-sessions/session11/th-special-session
• OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/oisl

Selected Documents & Reports

• A/HRC/RES/57/1: Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka: resolution / adopted by the Human Rights Council on 9 October 2024: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/RES/57/1
  • Previous resolutions: https://tinyurl.com/mr27snhd
• A/HRC/57/19 (27 August 2024): Situation of human rights in Sri Lanka: comprehensive report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: http://docs.un.org/A/HRC/57/19
  Submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 51/1.
• A/HRC/54/20 (24 October 2023): Situation of human rights in Sri Lanka: report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: http://docs.un.org/A/HRC/54/20
  Submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 51/1.
• A/HRC/51/5 (4 October 2022): Situation of human rights in Sri Lanka: comprehensive report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/51/5
  Submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 46/1.
• A/HRC/51/26/Add.1 (6 July 2022): Visit to Sri Lanka: report of the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, Including Its Causes and Consequences, Tomoya Obokata: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/51/26/Add.1
  Visit to Sri Lanka from 26 Nov. to 3 Dec. 2021. Summary issued in all official languages; annexed report in English only.
• A/HRC/49/9 (18 March 2022): Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka: report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/49/9
  Submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 46/1.
• A/HRC/46/20 (9 February 2021): Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka: report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
  https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/46/20
  Submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 40/1.
• A/HRC/45/45/Add.1 (18 June 2020): Visit to Sri Lanka: report of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/45/45/Add.1
  Report of Special Rapporteur Pablo de Greiff on his visit to Sri Lanka from 10 to 23 Oct. 2017. Focuses on assessing the progress made in the implementation of transitional justice measures since his 1st visit in Mar. 2015. Summary issued in all official languages; annexed report in English only.
• A/HRC/44/50/Add.1 (5 May 2020): Visit to Sri Lanka: report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/44/50/Add.1
  Report of Special Rapporteur Clément Nyaletsossi Voule on his visit to Sri Lanka from 18 to 26 July 2019. Summary issued in all official languages; annexed report in English only.
• A/HRC/40/57/Add.2 (17 January 2019): Visit to Sri Lanka: report of the Independent Expert on the Effects of Foreign Debt and Other Related International Financial Obligations of States on the Full Enjoyment of All Human Rights, particularly Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on his visit to Sri Lanka: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/40/57/Add.2
  Report of Independent Expert Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky on his visit to Sri Lanka from 3 to 11 Sept. 2018.Summary issued in all official languages; annexed report in English only.

• A/HRC/40/52/Add.3 (14 December 2018): Visit to Sri Lanka: report of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/40/52/Add.3
  Summary issued in all official languages; annexed report in English only.
• A/HRC/39/45/Add.2 (23 July 2018): Report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on its visit to Sri Lanka: note / by the Secretariat: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/39/45/Add.2
  Visit to Sri Lanka from 4 to 15 Dec. 2017. Includes a list of opinions of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concerning Sri Lanka (p. 23). Summary issued in all official languages; annexed report in English only.
• A/HRC/35/31/Add.1 (23 March 2017): Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers on her mission to Sri Lanka: note / by the Secretariat: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/35/31/Add.1
  Report of Special Rapporteur Mónica Pinto on her mission to Sri Lanka from 29 Apr. to 7 May 2016. Mission conducted jointly with the Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan E. Méndez. Summary issued in all official languages; annexed report in English only.
• A/HRC/34/20 (10 February 2017): Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/34/20
  Assesses progress made in the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 30/1, on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka between Oct. 2015 and Jan. 2017. The report should be read in conjunction with A/HRC/32/CRP.4, A/HRC/30/61 and A/HRC/30/CRP.2.
• A/HRC/34/53/Add.3 (31 January 2017): Report of the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues on her mission to Sri Lanka : note / by the Secretariat: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/34/53/Add.3
• A/HRC/34/54/Add.2 (22 December 2016): Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on his mission to Sri Lanka : note / by the Secretariat: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/34/54/Add.2
• A/HRC/33/51/Add.2 (8 July 2016): Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances on its mission to Sri Lanka : note / by the Secretariat: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/33/51/Add.2

• A/HRC/26/33/Add.6 (5 June 2014): Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani: Mission to Sri Lanka; comments by the State on the report of the Special Rapporteur: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/26/33/Add.6
• A/HRC/26/33/Add.4 (5 June 2014): Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani: Mission to Sri Lanka: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/26/33/Add.4
• S/AC.51/2012/3 (21 December. 2012): Conclusions on the situation of children and armed conflict in Sri Lanka: https://docs.un.org/S/AC.51/2012/3
• Report of the Secretary-General’s Internal Review Panel on United Nations Action in Sri Lanka, November 2012: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/737299

• S/2011/793 (21 December 2011): Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Sri Lanka: https://docs.un.org/S/2011/793
  Prepared pursuant to Security Council resolution 1612 (2005); covers the period from
  1 Feb. 2009 to 30 June 2011.

• Report of the Secretary-General’s Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka (31 March 2011): https://www.refworld.org/reference/countryrep/unsecgen/2011/en/78961

• A/HRC/8/6/Add.4 (21 May 2008): Report of the Representative of the Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Walter Kälin: addendum: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/8/6/Add.4
  Mission to Sri Lanka (14 to 21 December 2007)

• A/HRC/7/3/Add.6 (26 February 2008): Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Manfred Nowak: https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/7/3/Add.6
  Mission to Sri Lanka [1 to 8 October 2007]

• UN Member States on the Record: Sri Lanka
  https://www.un.org/en/library/unms
  United Nations Member States on the Record provides access to selected documents reflecting the views of United Nations Member States.

Selected Statements and Speeches by UN Officials

• Sri Lanka must break from the past and chart a new course / delivered by Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at Interactive Dialogue on OHCHR report on Sri Lanka / Human Rights Council (9 September 2024): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/09/sri-lanka-must-break-past-and-chart-new-course
• Sri Lanka update / delivered by Nada Al-Nashif United Nations Deputy High Commissioner at 54th session of the Human Rights Council (Interactive Dialogue on OHCHR report on Sri Lanka) (11 September 2023): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2023/09/sri-lanka-update
• Oral update on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka / Statement by Nada Al-Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights (21 June 2023): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2023/06/sri-lanka-promoting-reconciliation-accountability-and-rights
• Comment by UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Sri Lanka Supreme Court ruling (18 January 2023): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2023/01/comment-un-human-rights-office-spokesperson-jeremy-laurence-sri-lanka-supreme
• Comprehensive report and Interactive dialogue on Sri Lanka / delivered by Nada Al- Nashif, UN Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council (12 September 2022): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2022/09/comprehensive-report-and-interactive-dialogue-sri-lanka
• Comment by UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on raid on Sri Lanka protest camp (22 July 2022): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/07/comment-un-human-rights-office-spokesperson-jeremy-laurence-raid-sri-lanka
• Secretary-General urges smooth transition of government in Sri Lanka (SG/SM/21370, 11 July 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21370.doc.htm
• Human rights must be at heart of solution to Sri Lanka crisis: A UN Resident Coordinator blog (UN News, 17 May 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/05/1118442
• Update and Interactive dialogue on Sri Lanka / delivered by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 49th session of the Human Rights Council (4 March 2022): https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/03/update-and-interactive-dialogue-sri-lanka
• Oral Update on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, 48th session of the Human Rights Council / Statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (13 September 2021): https://www.ohchr.org/en/2021/09/oral-update-human-rights-situation-sri-lanka
• Bachelet “deeply troubled” by appointment of new Sri Lankan army chief (19 August 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24908
• Outraged by Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, Secretary-General stresses sanctity of all places for worship (SG/SM/19550, 21 April 2019): https://press.un.org/en/2019/sgsm19550.doc.htm
• Sri Lankan official misrepresents discussion of UN human rights report – Bachelet
  (27 March 2019): https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24412
• Presentation of the High Commissioner’s report on Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka (Item 2) (20 March 2019): https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24371
• Secretary-General welcomes peaceful resolution of political crisis in Sri Lanka (SG/SM/19417, 20 December 2018): https://press.un.org/en/2018/sgsm19417.doc.htm
• Concerned about Sri Lanka President’s dissolution of parliament, Secretary-General urges government to respect democratic processes, uphold rule of law (SG/SM/19337, 10 November 2018): https://press.un.org/en/2018/sgsm19337.doc.htm
• Secretary-General Urges Respect for Democratic Values, Restraint in Sri Lanka (SG/SM/19323, 28 October 2018): https://press.un.org/en/2018/sgsm19323.doc.htm
• Statement by Andrew Gilmour, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, at the Peacebuilding Commission meeting on Sri Lanka, New York, 20 November 2017: https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22420
• Secretary-General commends Sri Lanka’s creation of missing persons office (SG/SM/18619, 20 July 2017): https://press.un.org/en/2017/sgsm18619.doc.htm
• Human Rights Council 34th Session, Item 2: Oral presentation of the High Commissioner’s Report on Sri Lanka, Statement by Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 22 March 2017: https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21427
• UN human rights chief comments on meeting with Prime Minister in Davos (26 January 2017): https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21123
• Secretary-General, at Sri Lanka Event, calls on young people to lead way in implementing 2030 Agenda, ensuring no one is left behind (SG/SM/18018, 1 September 2016): https://press.un.org/en/2016/sgsm18018.doc.htm
• Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, at the end of his mission to Sri Lanka (9 February 2016): https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=17025
• Marking anniversary of Sri Lanka’s political transition, Secretary-General urges continued progress towards strengthening good governance (SG/SM/17446, 7 January 2016): https://press.un.org/en/2016/sgsm17446.doc.htm
• Secretary-General, welcoming report by Human Rights Commission on Sri Lanka, says victims demand no less than ‘a full and proper reckoning’ (SG/SM/17083-HR/5267, 17 September 2015): https://press.un.org/en/2015/sgsm17083.doc.htm
• Zeid urges creation of hybrid special court in Sri Lanka as UN report confirms patterns of grave violations (16 September 2015): https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=16432
• Applauding peaceful elections in Sri Lanka, Secretary-General encourages further progress on good governance, accountability, reconciliation (SG/SM/17017, 18 August 2015): https://press.un.org/en/2015/sgsm17017.doc.htm
• Zeid requests “one time only” deferral of key report on Sri Lanka conflict (16 February 2015): https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15574
• Secretary-General congratulates people of Sri Lanka on successful presidential election, commending all stakeholders for upholding democratic governance (SG/SM/16452, 9 January 2015): https://press.un.org/en/2015/sgsm16452.doc.htm
• Zeid condemns persistent disinformation designed to discredit UN investigation on Sri Lanka (7 November 2014): https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15263
• Secretary-General, addressing Sri Lanka Conference, says Asian political parties must show leadership in strengthening democracy, respect for human rights (SG/SM/16155-DEV/3120, 18 September 2014): https://press.un.org/en/2014/sgsm16155.doc.htm
• UN Human Rights Chief announces details of Sri Lanka conflict investigation (25 June 2014): https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14772
• Sri Lanka: Pillay alarmed by intercommunal violence, calls for end to hate speech
  (16 June 2014): https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14715
• Secretary-General urges peaceful participation in Sri Lanka provincial elections (SG/SM/15292, 19 September 2013): https://press.un.org/en/2013/sgsm15292.doc.htm
• Opening remarks by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay at a press conference during her mission to Sri Lanka Colombo, 31 August 2013: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13673
• Secretary-General says Internal Review Panel Report on Sri Lanka will be made public in interests of transparency, accountability, legitimacy, credibility (SG/SM/1463914,
  14 November 2012): https://press.un.org/en/2012/sgsm14639.doc.htm
• Secretary-General forwards Sri Lanka Expert Panel Report to Human Rights Council, High Commissioner for Human Rights (SG/SM/13791-HR/5072, 13 September 2011): https://press.un.org/en/2011/sgsm13791.doc.htm
• Secretary-General releases Expert Panel’s report on accountability with respect to final stages of Sri Lanka conflict (SG/SM/13524, 25 April 2011): https://press.un.org/en/2011/sgsm13524.doc.htm
• Secretary-General holds first meeting with Sri Lanka Panel of Experts (SG/SM/13104,
  17 September 2010): https://press.un.org/en/2010/sgsm13104.doc.htm
• Secretary-General reiterates call on Sri Lanka for urgent action to normalize conditions around United Nations Offices (SG/SM/13006, 9 July 2010): https://press.un.org/en/2010/sgsm13006.doc.htm
• Secretary-General to recall Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, close UNDP Regional Centre following ‘unacceptable’ Colombo disruption (SG/SM/13005, 8 July 2010): https://press.un.org/en/2010/sgsm13005.doc.htm
• Secretary-General names Panel of Experts to advise on accountability for possible rights violations during Sri Lanka conflict (SG/SM/12967, 22 June 2010): https://press.un.org/en/2010/sgsm12967.doc.htm
• Secretary-General concerned about growing violence in lead-up to Presidential election in Sri Lanka (SG/SM/12709, 20 January 2010): https://press.un.org/en/2010/sgsm12709.doc.htm
• Secretary-General welcomes steps by Sri Lanka for internally displaced persons (SG/SM/12622, 23 November 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12622.doc.htm
• Secretary-General strongly regrets decision by Sri Lankan government to expel spokesman for United Nations Children’s Fund (SG/SM/12439, 8 September 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12439.doc.htm
• Joint statement by UN Secretary-General, government of Sri Lanka (SG/2151, 26 May 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sg2151.doc.htm
• Secretary-General, arriving in Sri Lanka, spells out humanitarian action, refugee processing, reconciliation as goals for strife-torn country (SG/SM/12266, 22 May 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12266.doc.htm
• Secretary-General, appalled at killing of hundreds in Sri Lanka, urges government to explore all options to bring conflict to end without further bloodshed (SG/SM/12235, 11 May 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12235.doc.htm
• Secretary-General welcomes escape of civilians from Sri Lanka conflict zone, deeply concerned at potential for large-scale casualties among those remaining (SG/SM/12194,
  20 April 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12194.doc.htm
• Hailing Sri Lanka government’s two-day pause in military action against rebels, Secretary-General says UN will do all it can to help civilians in conflict zone (SG/SM/12183, 13 April 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12183.doc.htm
• Sri Lanka’s President, Secretary-General agree to ‘work together urgently’ in days ahead to address shared concerns about civilians trapped in Vanni region (SG/SM/12178, 9 April 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12178.doc.htm
• Let them decide: Civilians trapped with Tamil Tiger fighters must be offered an exit before a bloodbath ensues / Editorial by John Holmes (The Guardian. 8 April 2009): https://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/EDIS-7QWKT5?OpenDocument&rc=3&cc=lka
• Secretary-General deeply distressed at ongoing civilian casualties, confinement in Vanni region of Sri Lanka, reminds government of responsibility to protect (SG/SM/12166, 3 April 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12166.doc.htm
• Secretary-General strongly deplores mounting civilian death toll in Sri Lanka (SG/SM/12126, 5 March 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12126.doc.htm
• Secretary-General welcomes Sri Lankan President’s announcement of safe passage to secure environment for civilians trapped in fighting in north (SG/SM/12078, 30 January 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12078.doc.htm
• Secretary-General says immediate, absolute priority must be given to protection of civilians caught in intensified fighting in Vanni region of Sri Lanka (SG/SM/12066, 26 January 2009): https://press.un.org/en/2009/sgsm12066.doc.htm

Non-UN Sources

• The New Humanitarian (formerly “IRIN News”) – Sri Lanka: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/asia/sri-lanka
• Security Council Report – Sri Lanka: https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/sri-lanka/

9 October 2024
not an official document – for information only
https://unric.org/en/unric-library-backgrounder-srilanka/