Addressing the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on 08 September 2026 during the General Debate under the Agenda Item 2, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake emphasized that no Council mandate should be regarded as indefinite.
The written update on human rights situation in Sri Lanka was presented to the Council on 08 September and the General Debate was attended by the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner, Volker Türk.
Addressing the High Commissioner, Volker Türk, Permanent Representative Sumith Dassanayake emphasized that at a time when the international community is confronted with grave and urgent human rights situations, including armed conflicts, displacement, and humanitarian crises, the Council must ensure its work and resources are directed towards the most pressing global challenges.
Permanent Representative Sumith Dassanayake also emphasized the High Commissioner that all mandates, particularly country-specific mandates, should be subject to periodic review against clearly defined objectives and measurable outcomes. He called for sunset clauses and phase-out provisions to be explicitly incorporated into country-specific resolutions where appropriate.
Permanent Representative Sumith Dassanayake stressed that when a country demonstrates progress through national processes, dialogue, cooperation, and technical assistance, the Council should provide a credible pathway towards concluding the relevant mandate.
During the General Debate, several like-minded countries expressed views commending Sri Lanka’s progress toward protecting and promoting human rights of all Sri Lankans.
The full statement along with a video recording from the UN Web TV is attached.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva
09 September 2026
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, addressed the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on 08 September 2026, highlighting Sri Lanka’s progress in promoting and protecting human rights. The address was in response to the written update on ‘the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka’ presented by the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Awa Dabo. Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to nationally owned processes for reconciliation and accountability, Permanent Representative Sumith Dassanayake outlined key achievements and ongoing legislative, economic, and institutional reforms to the Council.
The delegation of Sri Lanka led by Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment successfully presented its initial national report under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) during the 35th Session of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 14 August 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee), during its 35th session, will review Sri Lanka’s initial report under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in Geneva on 14th August 2026.
The Review will take the form of an interactive dialogue between the Government of Sri Lanka’s Delegation and the CRPD Committee. Members of the Delegation will participate both in person in Geneva and virtually from Colombo.
Sri Lanka’s Delegation to the Review will be led by Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.
The Delegation participating in person in Geneva will consist of senior officials from the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and Attorney-General’s Department, together with officials of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva.
The Delegation participating virtually from Colombo will comprise senior officials and representatives from other relevant Ministries and institutions.
Sri Lanka ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2016 and submitted its initial report under the Convention in October 2019. In December 2025, Sri Lanka also responded to a list of issues from the Committee, providing further information. The review will provide an opportunity for the Government of Sri Lanka and the Committee to take stock of Sri Lanka’s implementation of the Convention and engage in a constructive dialogue on measures to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities.
Sri Lanka will be considered alongside Slovakia, Qatar, Lithuania and Chile during the Committee’s 35th session, which is being held from 12 to 27 August 2026 in Geneva.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism
Colombo
13 August 2026
The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) concluded its second visit to Sri Lanka on 24 June 2026. The visit took place from 15 to 24 June 2026.
Speaking at the 62nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of all its people through a nationally owned, democratic and constitutionally grounded process.
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva proudly presented photographic portraits of two prominent Sri Lankan women leaders at the prestigious UN photo exhibition, under the theme “Not a Woman’s Job? Women Leading Countries, Societies and Communities,” held on 30 June 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
- Permanent Representative Sumith Dassanayake pays a courtesy call on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Permanent Representative Sumith Dassanayake assures Sri Lanka’s commitment in advancing national unity and reconciliation at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
- Opening Remarks by H.E. Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva at the Conference ‘United and Present: Global Solutions from Within - A Mindful Approach to Diplomacy, UN Work, and Beyond’