Cabinet nod for Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee on Human Rights

Monday, 31 August 2026 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee on Human Rights to provide a stable national framework for the effective domestic follow-up and reporting of human rights activities in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka, as a member State of the United Nations, is a State party to nine core international human rights treaties and five optional protocols. The country is also engaged in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a United Nations mechanism through which member states report on measures taken at the national level to advance and protect human rights.

Sri Lanka underwent its fourth-cycle UPR in 2023. Following the review, the country has the opportunity to submit a voluntary mid-term report before its next review, detailing progress made in implementing recommendations received from other UN member states.

Against this backdrop, the Government has identified the need for a permanent and effective national mechanism to coordinate the preparation of such reports and monitor progress on human rights commitments.

The proposed Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee will bring together relevant Government ministries, departments and institutions, creating a multi-stakeholder framework for coordinating human rights-related activities and reporting.

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing last week, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the mechanism is expected to strengthen coordination among State institutions, facilitate systematic follow-up on recommendations and commitments, and support Sri Lanka in meeting its international human rights reporting obligations.

The establishment of the committee is also intended to ensure greater continuity and institutional coordination in the country’s engagement with international human rights mechanisms.

The joint resolution was submitted by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath and the Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara.