"The United States is concerned by intensifying pressure on Sri Lankan civil society and human rights activists. We are especially concerned by the detention of well-known human rights defenders Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen Mahesan after they made inquiries regarding the arrest of another activist. While it is encouraging that Mr. Fernando and Father Mahesan have since been released, they continue to face harassment by security forces. We are also aware of reports that additional human rights groups are being targeted for investigation by security forces.

Below is the video of today’s panel discussion at the Geneva Press Club. The speakers were, in order:

14:59 GMT

The British Prime Minister David Cameron said today that he had "secured the full backing of all the EU" in favour of an UNHRC resolution calling for accountability in Sri Lanka, due to be voted on next week.

Speaking at a press conference following the European Council earlier today, Prime Minister Cameron said that he had also raised the situation in Sri Lanka at the Council and stressed the need for an "international, independent investigation".

Human rights defenders in Northern Sri Lanka have been arrested, detained, and threatened. This has coincided with the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva considering a resolution calling for an international investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka. Prominent Sri Lankan human rights activist Balendran Jeyakumari, was arrested along with her teenaged daughter in Kilinochchi, Northern Sri Lanka on 13 March. Officials confirmed that she has been detained by the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) at the Boosa Detention Centre. Her daughter was later turned over to the Department of Probation and Child Care Services.