Reconciliation & Governance Tracker

Reconciliation

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

“Expanding the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate acts of violence caused by racism and religious extremism.”

• No information is publicly available regarding the steps that have been taken to implement this promise.
• No plan to prosecute those for alleged war crimes.
• At the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council Himalee Arunatilaka, Sri Lanka reiterated their rejection of Resolutions 46/1, 51/1, and 57/1 and the external evidence gathering mechanism on Sri Lanka. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Vijitha Herath confirmed Sri Lanka's commitment to multilateral cooperation in pursuit of peace, prosperity, and sustainability along with the promotion and protection of all human rights.
• The resolution, A/HRC/60/L.1/Rev.1: Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, was adopted in Geneva on Tuesday without a vote. Sponsored by the United Kingdom, Canada, Malawi, Montenegro and North Macedonia, and co-sponsored by 22 other countries including Germany, Switzerland and Ireland, the resolution renews the OHCHR’s evidence-gathering project on Sri Lanka and requests further updates through 2027. However, Sri Lanka has opposed it and Ambassador Arunatilaka has said “In our view, this is an unprecedented and ad hoc expansion of the Council’s mandate.” “Sri Lanka does not accept the external evidence-gathering mechanism set up by the OHCHR, which it has labelled as the Sri Lanka Accountability Project.” https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sri-Lanka-rejects-new-UNHRC-resolution/44-782680
• Sri Lanka did not ask for a vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council because it didn’t want to spend public funds on a vote it would lose anyway, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told parliament. https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-didnt-waste-public-funds-by-asking-for-a-vote-at-unhrc-minister-243404/
• Sri Lanka faced sustained scrutiny in Geneva as the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) concluded its first examination of the island’s record under the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Experts welcomed the transposition of the Convention into domestic law but raised pointed questions about arbitrary detentions, “short-term” disappearances, intimidation of victims’ families and long-standing impunity. https://island.lk/un-experts-press-sri-lanka-on-disappearances-arbitrary-detentions-and-intimidation-at-geneva-review/

Settlement of Land Issues

“Settlement of existing land related issues by a National Commission on Lands and Settlements”

• No information is publicly available regarding the steps that have been taken to implement a National Commission on Lands and Settlements.
• Despite public statements being made regarding returning plots of land that were taken over by security forces and other state-owned agencies during the war, the ground realities demonstrate continuing challenges faced by locals in accessing these areas.
• On 28th March 2025, the NPP government issued a Gazette in terms of Section 4 of the Land Settlement Ordinance, identifying lands in the Northern province to be claimed as State land if the owners of such lands do not claim before June 28 2025. (Tamil Guardian)
• Concerns are raised surrounding the process and how this will impact those who may not be aware of such a notice or have the necessary documentation.
• The gazette notification, which was due to come into effect on the 28th of June 2025, was formally revoked on the 25th of June 2025.
• A high-level meeting was convened on the 28th of October 2025 at the office of the Deputy Minister of Defence in Colombo to review progress and address ongoing challenges related to the release of private lands situated within the Jaffna-Palali area to their rightful owners. Discussions focused on resolving operational and administrative hurdles, particularly reviewing the military’s phased withdrawal to expedite the handover of remaining private lands. The deliberations also covered the finalization of new boundary alignments aimed at minimizing the impact on civilian properties while ensuring the continued protection of essential defence installations. https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/High-Level-discussion-on-releasing-lands-utilized-by-the-military/108-323589

Inter-religious council

“Establishing an Inter-Religious Council consisting of all religious leaders and religious scholars to resolve inter-religious issues”

• No publicly available information on the establishment of an inter-religious council.

Releasing political prisoners

“Releasing all political prisoners and ensure their free socialisation”

• President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged to release political prisoners upon the advice of the Attorney General at a public gathering in Vavuniya on November 11th 2024. (Sunday Observer)
• At a public meeting in Vavuniya, NPP Minister Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that it would take time to release political prisoners as certain procedures need to be followed. (Newschecker)
• There is no information publicly available on the progress of the release of political prisoners.

Relief to internally displaced persons

“Providing relief to war widows, internally displaced persons, people with disabilities and people with trauma in need of relief and shelter.”

• No information is publicly available about relief efforts for war widows, internally displaced persons, people with disabilities and those with trauma.

Ending resettlement programmes

“Ending resettlement programmes that operate with the aim of changing population composition.”

• No information is publicly available on changes to resettlement programmes.