• Calls on UNHRC to extend war crimes accountability resolution
• Urges security forces to respect Sri Lankans’ rights to protest peacefully
• Presses President Wickremesinghe to work with Opposition parties and ethnic minority groups to address crisis

As the 77th United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York this week, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman US Senator Bob Menendez, along with Senators Dick Durbin, Patrick Leahy, and Cory Booker, in introducing a Senate resolution, called for a comprehensive international approach to address Sri Lanka’s current political and economic crisis, including challenges related to poor governance and economic policy under the Rajapaksa family’s rule. 

The resolution calls on the UN Human Rights Council to extend its war crimes accountability resolution; urges Sri Lankan security forces to respect Sri Lankans’ rights to protest peacefully; and presses President Ranil Wickremesinghe to work with opposition parties and ethnic minority groups in efforts to address the crisis. 

The resolution also called on the United National Human Rights Council to extend and reinforce the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights mandate from HRC 46/1 (2021) for an additional and years and to fully resource the Sri Lanka Accountability Project.

“As the country grapples with its worst domestic crisis since the end of its civil war, the international community must continue to provide robust support and ensure that accountability for war crimes and respect for human rights in Sri Lanka remain top priorities. 

“I applaud efforts by the Biden administration, our Quad partners, and the IMF in providing critical humanitarian and economic assistance, and affirm my commitment to continue to work with my colleagues to advance stability and prosperity in Sri Lanka and the broader region,” Menendez said. 

“After decades of conflict, political mismanagement, and unaddressed inequalities, the Sri Lankan people have made it clear they aspire for something better,” Senator Durbin said. “Introduction of today’s resolution shows that the US Senate stands with peaceful democratic efforts to address these long-neglected challenges.”

“The Rajapaksa family enriched themselves at the expense of the Sri Lankan people, ruthlessly silencing their opponents, inciting ethnic tensions, and leaving the country in an economic shamble,” Senator Leahy said. “After years of civil war and government mismanagement and abuse, Sri Lanka needs a government that is committed to ethnic tolerance, equitable economic development, human rights, and justice. That should also be the focus of US policy.”

“The Sri Lankan people have sent a firm message that they want their government to address the dire economic and humanitarian crises that are afflicting their country,” Senator Booker said. “I stand with the Sri Lankan people and support their peaceful efforts to address their needs. 

“Furthermore, the international community must continue to push for justice, transparency, and accountability for human rights violations committed during the civil war to help the people of Sri Lanka move forward,” he noted.  

Draft resolution calls on OHCHR to enhance monitoring and reporting on HR in SL