Sri Lanka
44 Articles

Is the U.S. Becoming a Captured State? A Comparative Perspective
Patterns of state capture in South Africa, El Salvador, Sri Lanka and Guatemala offer a cautionary guide for the United States.

Unfounded Faith in Sri Lanka’s Government Risks Extending Impunity
The international community’s faith that Sri Lanka is genuinely willing to break from decades of systemic impunity ignores—and even fuels—ongoing human rights violations…

15 Years Later, Sri Lanka Continues to Deny Justice to Murdered Journalist
Lasantha’s murder, and the government’s failure to meaningfully investigate it, is a potent illustration of the importance and necessity of holding the perpetrators of crimes…

Sri Lanka’s Real Reckoning is Yet to Come
Accountability for atrocities against Tamils and curbing Sinhala Buddhist nationalism are key to the island’s stability and prosperity.

National Security This Week at the United Nations (March 19-26)
North Korea Launches Successful Weapons Tests North Korea conducted two separate weapons tests this week. U.S. officials confirmed that on Sunday, March 21, North Korea carried…

UN Human Rights Council Outlines Sri Lanka Abuses, But Demurs on Action
It’s not the robust independent mechanism victims campaigned for, or the referral to the ICC that they deserve, but it is a potential path to justice.

When War Criminals Run the Government: Not Too Late for the International Community to Vet Sri Lankan Officials
Developing such a list of individuals would signal to survivors some measure of recognition of the atrocities they have suffered.

UN Should Suspend Sri Lanka from Peacekeeping Over Human Rights Abuses
The government has failed in its international obligations to investigate and prosecute crimes, and has promoted alleged war criminals to high levels.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s Abuses to the UN in Reviews and Strategic Litigation
The Human Rights Council should build on the documentation and advocacy NGOs have done over the years to encourage accountability for gross violations.

Heeding Victims’ Voices: The Struggle of Tamil Families of the Disappeared in Sri Lanka
Their experience shows that overdue answers--and justice for all victims--requires international action to break the seal that protects the military.

Sri Lanka’s Evasion of Accountability Tests the Limits of the International Human Rights System
Twelve years of failed justice must trigger an honest debate on the ability of these mechanisms to prevent violations and deal with historical atrocities.

Universal Jurisdiction — the Most Difficult Path to Achieve Justice for Sri Lanka
The record shows that, if this is the only feasible route to accountability for now, countries will require additional support at the UN level to achieve accountability.