While welcoming the Sri Lankan government's constructive engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the human right mechanisms, The United Nations expressed regrets regarding Sri Lanka's slow progress in establishing transitional justice mechanisms.
United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore presenting the written update, said it is doubtful that the transitional justice agenda committed to by the government under the resolution 30/1 could be fully implemented before the next report in March 2019.
Specifically, the update focused on progress in promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka between March 2017 and January 2018.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka assured the UN and the international community that it will implement all transitional justice mechanisms in accordance with the country's Constitution.
Leading the Sri Lankan delegation to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana said Sri Lanka does not consider the reconciliation process a "box-ticking exercise" and that the judiciary and law enforcement mechanisms are fully capable and committed to the processes of advancing justice to all concerned.
Highlighting the most important achievements since Sri Lanka last addressed the Council at the 34th Session on the 28th of February 2017, Sri Lanka's envoy said much progress has been made, demonstrating Sri Lanka's firm commitment, willingness and ability to advancing truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence of conflict