Speaking at the 62nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of all its people through a nationally owned, democratic and constitutionally grounded process.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka Sumith Dassanayake had a constructive engagement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ambassador Volker Türk, at Palais Wilson today (13 April 2026).
During the meeting, Permanent Representative Dassanayake briefed the High Commissioner on the recent developments in Sri Lanka and discussed several matters of mutual interest. Ambassador Dassanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s continued and constructive engagement with the Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
High Commissioner Türk appreciated Ambassador Dassanayake for the briefing, while expressing continued support for Sri Lanka through OHCHR.
Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva highlighted Sri Lanka’s continued journey towards economic, social and political transformation, speaking under the high-level segment of the UN Human Rights Council on 25 February 2026.
Opening Remarks by Her Excellency Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva at the Conference ‘United and Present: Global Solutions from Within - A Mindful Approach to Diplomacy, UN Work, and Beyond’ 09 December 2025, Geneva
High Commissioner Volker Turk
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Sri Lanka is proud to have been be a key sponsor of the resolution on World Meditation Day together with Liechtenstein, Andorra, Mexico, Nepal, and India, that was adopted by the UNGA in 2024.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka participated in discussions on this resolution in a spirit of open and constructive engagement, that we have demonstrated throughout in our interactions with this Council.
Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara led the Sri Lanka delegation to the presentation of Sri Lanka’s initial Report under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance at the 29thSession of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) on 26 September 2025, in Geneva.
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Members of the Committee,
- It is my honour to lead the Sri Lanka delegation to this dialogue with the Committee on Enforced Disappearance and to present Sri Lanka’s Initial Report under Article 29 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
- My delegation, both present here and joining virtually from Colombo, includes members from the
Ministry of Justice and National Integration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, the Attorney General’s Department, Sri Lanka Police, the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, National Child Protection Authority, the Office on Missing Persons, the Office for Reparations, the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, and the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva.
- Sri Lanka’s review under the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED)to be held in Geneva
- Statement by Sri Lanka at the Urgent Debate to “discuss the recent military aggression launched by Israel against the State of Qatar on 9 September 2025” during the 60th session of the Human Rights Council, 16th September 2025
- Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath concludes visit to Geneva