Sri Lanka has called for a balanced and objective assessment of its human rights situation at the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

Addressing the Council, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, highlighted judicial and prison reforms being pursued by the Government, including measures to strengthen judicial independence and reduce the backlog of cases.

He also referred to the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, plans to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and proposed amendments to the Online Safety Act.

Dassanayake stated that Sri Lanka had taken note of the latest Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) update and reaffirmed its continued engagement with the Council.

He urged the Council to assess the country’s situation in a “balanced, objective and constructive manner”, while taking into account the reforms and measures being implemented by the Government.

The Ambassador also highlighted ongoing measures on reconciliation, missing persons, reparations, land release and compensation, and reiterated the Government’s position against extremism and racial division.