Sri Lanka has highlighted a series of judicial reforms, including the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, as part of the new government’s efforts to strengthen judicial independence, reduce the backlog of cases and build a more effective justice system.
Addressing the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva Sumith Dassanayake said the new government had recognised challenges within the country’s judicial and prison systems and was taking measures to address them.
He said the present government remained committed to judicial independence and had introduced reforms aimed at strengthening the courts, expediting cases and reducing the backlog of cases.
Ambassador Dassanayake also highlighted the government’s proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, saying it seeks to strengthen the judicial system by addressing issues relating to the retirement age of judges, retaining experienced judicial professionals and further strengthening the capacity of the courts.
The reforms, he said, are intended to ensure that judicial expertise is retained within the system while enabling courts to deal more effectively with the large number of pending cases.
The Ambassador said the government was also addressing challenges in the prison system, including overcrowding, as part of wider judicial and prison-sector reforms.
Sri Lanka’s emphasis on judicial reform came as the government responded to the latest written update of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council session.
Dassanayake said Sri Lanka had taken note of the OHCHR update and reaffirmed the country’s continued engagement with the Human Rights Council.
He urged the Council to assess Sri Lanka’s situation in a balanced, objective and constructive manner, while taking into account the measures being undertaken by the present government.
“We respectfully urge the Council that Sri Lanka’s situation be assessed in a balanced, objective and constructive manner, in keeping with the principles governing the Council, and that Sri Lanka be supported in its efforts to create a just society,” he said.
The Ambassador said the new Government had taken steps to create a just and fair country despite external pressures, while pursuing an agenda aimed at promoting reconciliation.
He also said Sri Lanka had not supported Resolution 6/1, including the extension of the mandate relating to an external evidence mechanism, arguing that such a system could create divisions among communities and undermine the country’s reconciliation process.
Dassanayake said the government had continued to work with UN agencies on reconciliation-related initiatives during the past year.
He also outlined other measures being pursued by the government, including plans to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and replace it with new legislation, as well as proposed amendments to the Online Safety Act.
Steps are also being taken through the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations to address outstanding issues, he said.
The Ambassador further referred to measures relating to the release of land, valuation and compensation, as well as proposed amendments to immigration laws to facilitate the return of refugees to Sri Lanka.
He stressed that the government remained committed to taking action against alleged unlawful conduct regardless of the status or rank of those involved.
He also reiterated the government’s position that there should be no room for the resurgence of extremism or racial division in Sri Lanka.
The present government, he said, remains committed to fulfilling its obligations and called for continued international engagement that supports the country’s efforts towards justice, reconciliation and institutional reform.
The remarks were made as the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council began in Geneva, with Sri Lanka’s human rights record, reconciliation process and accountability remaining among the issues receiving international attention.
