The commander of the Sri Lankan security forces in Jaffna met with Afghanistan’s ambassador this week, where the two reportedly discussed “nation-building and reconciliation efforts”.

The meeting comes despite Sri Lankan troops counting to occupy large swathes of land across the Tamil North-East and reports of ongoing human rights abuses. 

Tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were killed in a Sri Lankan offensive more than a decade ago, which saw Colombo militarily defeat the LTTE. Hospitals were shelled and surrendering Tamils were killed in the violence, which saw mass atrocities that have been the subject of several UN reports and resolutions.

To date, no one has been held accountable for the massacres, with Sri Lanka instead promoting military leaders accused of overseeing atrocities.

Despite this, Afghanistan’s ambassador Ashraf Haidari “appreciated the Sri Lankan government’s efforts at post-conflict development and the role of the Security Forces in Jaffna for promotion of communal harmony, peace and co-existence,” claimed a Sri Lankan military website.

“Jaffna Commander also gave a comprehensive briefing on the current security scenario, land release, demining, civil-military coordination and other matters of concern pertaining to the Security Force,” it added.

The meeting comes as Afghanistan and the Taliban conducted a prisoner swap this week, as the United States begins to withdraw its troops and bring to a close 18 years of armed conflict.