GENEVA, Switzerland (South Asian Desk) – The Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) of UN slams Sri Lanka on Tuesday for limited progress in resolving thousands of enforced disappearance cases, tracing just 23 out of 16,966 complaints lodged with the Office on Missing Persons (OMP). The findings, published on 7 October 2025, highlight persistent impunity and inadequate forensic capabilities amid discoveries of mass graves.
This comes during the CED’s 29th session in Geneva, where Sri Lanka presented its initial report under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, ratified in 2016. The report underscores failures in prosecution and database development, raising alarms over accountability for violations linked to the 1983-2009 civil war.
UN Slams Sri Lanka in CED Report on Enforced Disappearances
The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances issued its findings following Sri Lanka’s review from 26 September 2025. Experts expressed deep concern over the absence of a comprehensive register for disappeared persons. They noted the OMP’s minimal success rate, with only 23 individuals located since its establishment in 2018. This figure contrasts sharply with the 16,966 cases received by 31 December 2024, all predating 2018 and tied to conflict eras.
The Sri Lanka CED report limited progress to institutional setups but flagged systemic shortcomings. Committee members urged Colombo to strengthen the OMP’s mandate for searches, investigations, and accountability. They criticised the high level of impunity, evidenced by stalled probes into alleged disappearances during the armed conflict. No prosecutions have advanced significantly, despite the Enforced Disappearance Act No. 5 of 2018 criminalising the offence with up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Sri Lanka’s delegation, led by Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, defended its record during the session. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stated on 30 September 2025 that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy. “Sri Lanka reaffirms its firm commitment to safeguarding and protecting the human rights of all citizens,” the MFA release read. It highlighted no new enforced disappearance cases reported from 2017 to 2023, Crediting legislative reforms and oversight mechanisms.
Key Concerns in Sri Lanka CED Report: Impunity and Mass Graves
The report pinpointed at least 17 mass graves discovered accidentally in recent years, including sites in Mannar and Mullaitivu. Forensic capacities remain limited, with no centralised ante-mortem and post-mortem databases or a national genetic database in place. The Committee called this a barrier to identifying remains and delivering justice.
Investigations suffer from fragmented efforts, the UN noted. While the OMP coordinates with police, tri-forces, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), outcomes lag. Sri Lanka’s replies to the Committee’s list of issues, submitted on 31 July 2025, claimed advancements in capacity building. These include workshops on ante-mortem data collection with the ICRC in 2025 and training for forensic archaeology. The government reported observing exhumations in four cases under judicial oversight, developing standard operating procedures aligned with international standards.
Yet, the Sri Lanka CED report limited progress drew scrutiny over prosecutions. The Committee recommended incorporating war crimes and crimes against humanity into domestic law. It also pressed for expediting an independent Public Prosecutor’s Office to combat impunity. Sri Lanka’s 2025 responses acknowledged ongoing reviews of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), with a de facto moratorium on arrests since a 2022 police circular. Cabinet approved PTA repeal proposals in advanced stages, aiming for alignment with global norms.
Government Measures Amid UN Criticism
Sri Lanka established the OMP under Act No. 14 of 2016 to trace missing persons from conflict, unrest, or abductions. By mid-2025, it referred 2,521 cases for Certificates of Absence and 428 for Certificates of Death. The OMP also facilitated reparations: 4,197 families received LKR 200,000 each by 30 June 2025, with 150 pending. Collective programmes supported 1,570 individuals in 2023-2024, focusing on psychosocial aid and livelihood training.
The MFA emphasised victim-centred approaches. “The OMP draws technical support from academia, the ICRC, and partners, with a victim-centred approach that has received positive public response,” it stated. Cabinet allocated an additional LKR 375 million in 2025 to accelerate investigations. Complementary bodies include the Office for Reparations (OR) and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), which monitors detentions and holds ‘A’ status acCreditation.
Legislative strides feature in Sri Lanka’s submissions. The 2018 Act overrides conflicting laws, ensuring habeas corpus under constitutional Articles 126 and 141. Amendments to the PTA mandate magistrate oversight within 48 hours of arrests and HRCSL access. A National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force reported no state-linked disappearances tied to trafficking.
Despite these, the UN slammed Sri Lanka for gaps in implementation. The Committee urged a comprehensive strategy for mass grave excavations, including chain-of-custody protocols for remains. Sri Lanka countered with interagency pools of experts in forensics and human rights, trained via the Department of Archaeology.
Historical Context and Regional Implications
Enforced disappearances scarred Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war, with estimates exceeding 20,000 cases, disproportionately affecting Tamils in the north and east. Pre-ratification inquiries, like the 2015 Working Group visit, praised cooperation but urged prosecutions. Post-2016, mechanisms proliferated, yet families report delays in tracing.
In South Asia, the Sri Lanka CED report limited progress echoes broader challenges. Neighbours like India and Pakistan face similar impunity in conflict zones, hindering regional reconciliation. The findings pressure Colombo to model accountability, bolstering trust in transitional justice amid economic recovery.
What’s Next for Accountability
The Committee set deadlines for Sri Lanka to report back by 2028 on recommendations, including database creation and OMP enhancements. Colombo plans a national reconciliation policy with UN support. As of 8 October 2025, no official response to the findings has emerged, though MFA channels suggest ongoing engagement.
The UN slammed Sri Lanka’s efforts, but sustained reforms could bridge gaps. Families await closure, with the CED urging swift action to prevent recurrence.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 8th, 2025
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