Tamil Groups Urge Strong UN Action on Sri Lanka Ahead of UNHRC 60th Session

by Staff Writer 05-08-2025 | 10:40 PM

COLOMBO(News1st); Tamil national parties and civil organizations have jointly sent a letter regarding the report and resolution that will be presented by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The letter refers back to the correspondence sent on January 15, 2021, to the Heads of Mission of the 47 Member States of the United Nations Human Rights Council, along with the issues highlighted in that communication.

It also notes that the letter signed by more than 70 civil organizations and presented to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights during his visit to Sri Lanka in June 2025 has been taken into account.

The letter states that the United Nations’ failure during the final stages of the war in Sri Lanka in May 2009, as well as its failure to ensure Sri Lanka’s accountability, has emboldened racist, authoritarian, and anti-democratic regimes around the world to commit grave crimes with impunity.

Five key points were highlighted in the letter:

01. The letter states that Member States at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council should adopt a resolution acknowledging that, in the 16 years since the end of the war, there have been no genuine accountability mechanisms in Sri Lanka.

02. The signatories to the letter opposed any resolution that grants the regime in Sri Lanka political space and time to implement a domestic mechanism.

03. The letter adds that while there is no objection to extending the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ accountability programme, it should have a clear time limit.

04. The letter states that there is an urgent need for international monitoring, supervision, and technical assistance for the re-excavation of the Chemmani mass grave and the proper mapping of burial sites in the North and East.

05. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has been urged to ensure that the next report includes critical issues such as militarization, land grab, and the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Online Safety Act.

The letter has been signed on behalf of the Tamil National People’s Front by Member of Parliament and Attorney Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Democratic Tamil National Alliance Member of Parliament Selvam Adaikalanathan, and several other political leaders.

The letter has also been signed by 11 religious leaders and 115 civil organizations.

The letter is addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, with a copy sent to the United Nations Secretary-General.