The Core Group on Sri Lanka told the UN Human Rights Council that they are "deeply concerned" by the violent attacks on anti-government protesters that broke out last month and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable. 

In a statement, the Core Group made up of Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the UK and the United States, said: 

"We note that protesters, have exercised their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of expression in recent months. We are deeply concerned by violent attacks on peaceful protestors and subsequent violence against government-aligned politicians and supporters. Those responsible for this violence must be held to account."

The Core Group also urged Sri Lanka to "address long-standing impunity and corruption, and underline the need for good governance and sound economic policies" as the island battles its worst economic crisis. 

Delivering an update to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier in the week, Bachelet said, “We observe worrying consequences on human rights as a result of economic and other crises in some countries”.

“For instance, in Sri Lanka, I urge the Government to ensure immediate relief for the most marginalized and vulnerable groups and to prioritise social protection as it negotiates a recovery plan,” she added. “I hope efforts will focus on deeper institutional reforms to ensure greater transparency and accountability in governance, reduce inequalities and advance reconciliation and justice for all communities.”

Addressing the Council, Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister G.L Peiris said Sri Lanka's authorities have "consistently emphasised that dissent needs to be peaceful" and stated that the emergency regulations were imposed to maintain law and order and allow the "unimpeded distribution of essential supplies." 

Peiris also told the Council that there is a "de facto moratorium on arrests being made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) which has been used disproportionately to detain Tamils and Muslims. In his update, the foreign minister also told the Council that the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) has "met more than 83% of persons invited for panels of inquiries as part of its verification process." This update on the OMP comes despite the Tamil families of the disappeared repeatedly rejecting any domestic mechanisms as they have failed to meet any of the demands outlined by the families.