Symbolic Gesture or Turning Point?

Symbolic Gesture or Turning Point?

June 28, 2025

The four-day official visit by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to Sri Lanka last week was steeped in symbolism—but for many across the island, it reignited longstanding doubts about whether it would bring any real progress on the country’s most painful unresolved issues: the fate of the missing and the dead from decades of conflict, repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), uncovered mass graves in the country, and many more.

High-level visits to Sri Lanka in the past—from former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UK Prime Minister David Cameron to UN Human Rights Chiefs like Navi Pillay, who said the legacy of war still lingers, and Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, who took a strong stance on Sri Lanka’s emblematic cases—have often ended in lofty promises with little concrete progress.

The continued existence of the PTA, the largely inactive Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and Office for Reparations, the Presidential Commission reports (rejected and redundant after spending millions of rupees), and the unresolved status of several identified mass graves, which remain shrouded in secrecy, are persistent concerns. These unresolved issues, frequently raised by international actors, remain stuck in political limbo.

As with the visits of his predecessors, Türk’s presence in Sri Lanka has renewed cautious hope. However, attention now shifts to the newly-elected National People’s Power (NPP) Government, which came to power on a platform of reform and accountability. So far, it has shown little initiative or urgency on these critical issues. Whether this administration will take meaningful steps towards truth and justice for all those affected families remains to be seen—and will require close scrutiny throughout its five-year tenure.

Türk’s encounters in Jaffna

During his official tour, which concluded on 26 June, Türk faced mounting pressure from victims’ families in Jaffna, civil society groups, over the persistent failure of successive Sri Lankan Governments to deliver justice for serious human rights violations—including the unresolved fate of the disappeared, mass graves, and ongoing impunity for past crimes. They also reiterated concerns about surveillance and intimidation.

Despite a series of landmark UNHRC resolutions—46/1, 51/1, 57/L.1, and the most recent 58/L.1—which mandate the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to collect, analyse, and preserve evidence of violations, the successive Sri Lankan Government has repeatedly refused to cooperate with these mechanisms. However, UNHRC Chief Türk said that discussions with Sri Lankan authorities included the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and reiterated the UN’s longstanding position on the issue. “It’s clear from our perspective that the PTA should be repealed,” he stated. “We were informed about certain steps being taken in that direction, but our stance remains unchanged. This position has also been consistently reflected in previous reports issued by my office.”

“I also had valuable discussions with representatives of civil society and heard heartbreaking testimonies from survivors and victims of human rights abuses,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Türk. “My visit to the recently-reopened mass grave in Chemmani was a powerful reminder that the past continues to haunt the lives of many in Sri Lanka. I am deeply grateful for the access I was granted, and I had the opportunity to meet with a family who, even after so many years, is still searching and grieving.”

Türk noted that his Office has been mandated to gather and preserve information and to analyse human rights violations and abuses. “We have established a dedicated project for this purpose. I hope it will contribute to future accountability efforts, both within Sri Lanka and at the international level.”

He acknowledged the reopening of investigations and prosecutions into several significant cases, including the Easter Sunday attacks. “I encourage further progress in these and other emblematic human rights cases. Achieving tangible results in even a few of them would have a powerful impact, restore public confidence and demonstrate commitment to justice,” he said.

Systemic issues persist

Türk also marked the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture during his visit. “Torture and sexual violence were widespread during the conflict, and we continue to receive reports of such practices today. Although torture is criminalised under Sri Lankan law, complaints persist from across the country. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive Security sector and Police reforms,” he stressed. “There is still much work to be done to fully address and end this systemic problem.”

Türk also addressed concerns over Police reform, particularly the ongoing issue of torture, which he described as a challenge faced by many countries. “Addressing torture requires a consistent, long-term effort and, importantly, independent complaint mechanisms so that victims feel safe to come forward,” he said.

He acknowledged the strong partnership between the UN and Sri Lanka’s National Human Rights Commission, commending the institution’s expertise, particularly in addressing custodial torture and abuse. “These are the types of mechanisms that need to be strengthened—through reinforcing existing institutions and ensuring that all relevant evidence is properly gathered,” he noted.

Türk pointed to the importance of international support in building robust accountability structures. “Such mechanisms must be nationally driven but complemented by international cooperation. We believe the international community will continue to support Sri Lanka in this effort.”

On the question of whether there will be another UNHRC recommendation for Sri Lanka at the next Geneva session, he said, “We are still in the process of drafting our report, so I cannot yet specify what recommendations will be included for the next UNHRC session. But this visit has been critical. It was important for me to come, to engage directly, and to witness the situation on the ground.”

He also stressed the need for tangible progress in several emblematic human rights cases that the UN has been following for years. “These cases were part of our discussions with Sri Lankan authorities, and it is essential that concrete steps are taken to deliver justice,” Türk added.

The High Commissioner met with top political leaders, including the Speaker of Parliament, Jagath Wickramaratne and National People’s Power (NPP) Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath. Observers were eager to know whether these high-level discussions included any acknowledgement by the current administration of past government failures in addressing wartime atrocities, and whether the NPP Government would pursue a local mechanism to investigate them, either independently or in collaboration with the international community.

Critics argue that political unwillingness remains deeply entrenched, regardless of party or leadership, and many question whether the new NPP-led Government, elected on a platform of reform, will take the bold steps needed to reverse this longstanding inaction.

Chemmani and Mannar symbols

Sites such as Chemmani and Mannar, where mass graves have been unearthed but never fully investigated, remain powerful symbols of the country’s unresolved past.

“Successive Governments have made promises but delivered almost nothing,” said a relative of a disappeared person at Chemmani. “We are still waiting for truth and justice, decades later.”

In response to these lingering questions, the High Commissioner is expected to outline how his office intends to move beyond mere documentation and resolution-drafting. The demand now is for concrete action—whether through enhanced international monitoring, the establishment of a special tribunal, or a broader push for international accountability mechanisms.

With much of the evidence trail growing cold—camps dismantled, military figures untraceable, and key witnesses deceased—many question whether a credible international investigation is even possible without Sri Lanka’s cooperation. “The UNHRC must push for tangible justice mechanisms before it’s too late,” said the protesters who were at the Chemmani mass grave while Türk visited.

Amid a backdrop of competing global crises—from wars to the refugee emergency—the question also arises: where does Sri Lanka stand on the UNHRC’s global priority list? Previous high-profile visits by figures brought attention but little follow-up. Many now wonder whether Türk’s visit will mark a turning point—or become yet another lost opportunity. As the High Commissioner wraps up his visit, victims and observers alike await clarity—not only in words but in actions that affirm the UN’s enduring commitment to truth, justice, and accountability in Sri Lanka.

However, the High Commissioner conveyed his deep gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka for the cooperation extended throughout the visit and appreciated Sri Lanka’s continuing constructive engagement with his Office.

Türk vows not to sideline SL’s National Issue

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam stated that the UNHRC Chief Türk told him he visited Sri Lanka in person to ensure that the Sri Lankan Tamil issue does not fade away at the upcoming UNHRC session in Geneva, despite global focus on crises in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Türk met with several other political representatives in Jaffna at a private hotel, including MPs S. Shritharan, Selvam Adaikalanathan, Sreetharan Bhavanandarajah, and former MP Dharmalingam Siddharthan.

Speaking to the media following the meeting, MP Shanakiyan said, “I asked the High Commissioner whether the Sri Lanka issue would be overshadowed at the September UNHRC session, given ongoing global conflicts like Iran–Israel, Pakistan–India, Russia–Ukraine, and Israel–Palestine. He responded that his personal visit here was precisely to ensure the Sri Lankan issue would not be sidelined.”

According to the MPs, several key matters were discussed during the meeting, including mass graves, the release of political prisoners, land releases, and the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances.

Siddharthan, partner of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), said he stressed the need for continued international pressure through UNHRC resolutions, given the Government’s failure to act responsibly on human rights issues. “When we raised the issues of land disputes, enforced disappearances, and the plight of prisoners suffering in detention, he said he was aware of these concerns,” Siddharthan said. “While he admitted that many other global crises are demanding attention, he assured us of his personal commitment to pursuing accountability in Sri Lanka.”

MP Shritharan highlighted unresolved issues like Chemmani, the land release in Kurunthurmalai and Vaddukkoddai North, and emphasised that accountability in Sri Lanka is still not pursued in a transparent and dignified manner. “We made it clear that accountability must go hand in hand with reparative justice,” he said.

MP Sreetharan also pointed out that despite 30 years of civil war and 16 years since its end, Tamil people have seen little to no progress. “I told the High Commissioner that the Government has shown no real initiative in addressing the longstanding issues of the Tamil people,” he said.

President ready for sincere commitment

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Media Division, in its official statement, said that the Government reiterated to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights its sincere commitment to advancing human rights, reconciliation, and good governance. It outlined steps already taken and those planned, including confidence-building measures, the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, anti-corruption efforts, strengthening reconciliation mechanisms, repealing the PTA, amending the Online Safety Act, and introducing new legislation to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Government said in its official statement that High Commissioner Türk acknowledged a growing momentum for change across Sri Lankan society. He welcomed the Government’s initiatives to promote ethical governance, safeguard human rights, and foster national unity, and offered the continued support of his Office to reinforce these efforts. Türk had also expressed encouragement at the steps being taken to combat corruption and mismanagement and hoped that these reforms would maintain their momentum. Noting the openness of the dialogue, Türk remarked that Sri Lanka has the potential to become a model of peaceful coexistence by embracing its diversity as a national strength. He added that his visit to Sri Lanka comes at a time when the world and the multilateral system face unprecedented challenges—and that he arrived with a deep sense of hope for the country’s future, the President’s Media Division said.

(amiesulo@gmail.com)

About VELUPPILLAI 3397 Articles
Writer and Journalist living in Canada since 1987. Tamil activist.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply