Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, delivered a strong defense of the Attorney General’s Office at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) today, while unveiling a series of sweeping reforms that the government says will mark a turning point in justice, reconciliation, and governance.
Speaking at the 60th Session in Geneva, Herath insisted that the Attorney General files indictments only when there is a clear prima facie case and stressed that prosecutorial discretion is not unfettered but remains fully subject to judicial review.
Rejects the UN’s “negative portrayal” of the AG’s office
He rejected the UN’s “negative portrayal” of the AG’s office as unjustified and emphasized that Sri Lanka’s judicial processes were both independent and credible.
The minister went on to announce that the government will establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), reviving a long-standing demand for accountability and healing in the aftermath of conflict. He also revealed that the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) has been allocated an additional Rs. 375 million to fast-track long-delayed investigations, which he described as a “special priority” for the administration.
Herath outlined a broader legal reform agenda, promising a new Counter-Terrorism Bill to replace the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), along with a forthcoming Organised Crime Bill. He confirmed that amendments to the Online Safety Act are being prepared following public consultations, while draft laws on domestic violence, children’s rights, and disability rights are already underway.
The government plans to celebrate the first-ever “Sri Lanka Day” in December
In a symbolic gesture aimed at reconciliation, the minister also announced that the government will celebrate the first-ever “Sri Lanka Day” in December 2025 to promote national unity across communities.
Responding to the High Commissioner’s report, which acknowledged Sri Lanka’s progress but also raised concerns, Herath maintained that reforms are domestically driven and cautioned against “external mechanisms” such as the Sri Lanka Accountability Project, arguing that they would only undermine genuine national efforts.
