Over one hundred civil society organisations and individuals called for a “meaningful power sharing” solution to Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict and accountability for those who have disappeared, in a letter addressed to all political parties competing in the upcoming Sri Lankan parliamentary elections.

The letter, which has 123 signatories, called for all parties to “commit to a political and constitutional settlement of the ethnic conflict based on meaningful power-sharing”. 

Signed by organisations and individuals from across the island, the letter says that after the presidential elections earlier this year, “there appeared to be a consensus that… the longer term issues of peace and reconciliation, the process of transitional justice, an end to the culture of impunity in respect of all human rights violations and a political settlement of the ethnic conflict, would be addressed in earnest”. 

It continued to state parties must pledge to “ensure families have access to the truth, and hold accountable all those responsible for enforced and involuntary disappearances”, and that the crime of disappearances be criminalized under Sri Lankan Law”. 

The letter also called for the Prevention of Terrorism Act be repealed or reformed with detainees charged or released immediately, and for “processes and mechanisms of transitional justice in conformity with international standards, and continued, constructive engagement with victims, affected communities, local civil society groups and the international community”.

See the full text of the letter here.