The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has proposed sweeping legal reforms to give its recommendations greater force, including recognising the failure to comply with its directives as an offence amounting to contempt against the authority of the Commission.
In a letter addressed to the President, the HRCSL argued that the move is necessary to strengthen accountability and ensure that its recommendations are not ignored with impunity. The Commission also noted that the proposed contempt provision mirrors similar clauses already included in the Women Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024, which has undergone constitutional scrutiny.
The HRCSL has also informed the President of the steps taken to implement recommendations made by the Global Alliance of National HR Institutions (GANHRI) following the Commission’s successful reaccreditation with ‘A’ Status in May 2024. Following a detailed evaluation, the GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) confirmed that the HRCSL continues to comply with the Paris Principles relating to the status and functioning of National HR Institutions. The Commission’s mandate, appointment process, and institutional work were recognised as meeting international standards.
In its communication to the President, the HRCSL outlined measures already undertaken to strengthen its operations, including conducting unannounced visits to places of the deprivation of liberty, enhancing cooperation with international and domestic HR bodies, engaging with civil society organisations (CSOs), promoting financial autonomy, ensuring pluralism and diversity among staff, and addressing HR violations such as torture, custodial deaths, enforced disappearances, discrimination, and violence.
The HRCSL also submitted several proposals to amend the HRCSL Act, No. 21 of 1996, with the objective of fully implementing the recommendations made by the SCA. The proposed amendments include: Strengthening the HRCSL’s mandate to engage with international HR mechanisms; Ensuring greater financial autonomy through direct budgetary allocations and independent financial management; Promoting pluralism and gender diversity in staff appointments; Limiting Commissioners to a maximum of two terms; and Improving transparency and inclusiveness in the appointment process of Commissioners through public calls for applications and consultation with CSOs.