Sri Lanka denies allegations made by former Human Rights Commissioner

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry noted with concern the “misleading statements” contained in the testimony of former Commissioner of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), which it said completely ignores the progress made by the Sri Lankan government on many fronts.

It also stated that this testimony creates doubts about the Sri Lankan government’s intents and sincerity, particularly at a time when it is engaged in long-standing cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms and the UN Human Rights Council and is delivering on its commitment to address accountability and reconciliation through domestic processes and institutions.

The Foreign Ministry refuted Satkunanathan’s claims on ‘a culture of impunity.’ It pointed out that the Sri Lankan government is engaged in long-standing cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms as well as with the UN Human Rights Council.

Satkunanathan has pointed to the Presidential Task Force on Archaeology which she accuses of being a tool for land grabbing and changing the demographics of minority-heavy areas and the Presidential Task Force on One-Country One Law which she accuses of stoking ethnic hatred and violence, the Foreign Ministry said further.