The United Kingdom said that it holds “regular discussions” with Sri Lankan officials regarding implementing a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on accountability for mass atrocities, and that “more needs to be done” to ensure progress.

Responding to a question from parliamentarian Theresa Villiers on discussions regarding the aftermath of the armed conflict, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said the British government wanted to see Sri Lankan implement the UN resolutions on accountability.

“We firmly believe that this is the best framework for establishing truth and achieving justice and lasting reconciliation,” said Dr Andrew Murrison. “The Government has made these points regularly to Sri Lankan Ministers, including during a Ministerial visit to Colombo in October and in a number of meetings since. The British High Commissioner in Colombo also holds regular discussions on the implementation of the UNHRC resolutions with the Government of Sri Lanka.”

Amongst other measures, the resolutions have called for the creation of a hybrid accountability mechanism which includes international judges and prosecutors. Though Sri Lanka has co-sponsored the resolutions, in both 2017 and 2019, senior government officials including the president have consistently rejected its terms.

Though Murrison noted that Colombo “had taken some steps to address human rights concerns,” he said that “however, more needs to be done”.

“The UK has urged further progress on these issues, and encouraged the Government of Sri Lanka to deliver meaningful devolution through constitutional reform, and to establish and then utilise credible mechanisms for transitional justice.”

“We continue to urge the Government to prioritise the steps required to deliver fully on the commitments it made in resolutions 30/1, 34/1 and 40/1, and to develop a comprehensive and time bound implementation strategy.”