The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) concluded its second visit to Sri Lanka on 24 June 2026. The visit took place from 15 to 24 June 2026.
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.
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva proudly presented photographic portraits of two prominent Sri Lankan women leaders at the prestigious UN photo exhibition, under the theme “Not a Woman’s Job? Women Leading Countries, Societies and Communities,” held on 30 June 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
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.
- Sri Lanka reaffirms its commitment to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances
- Opening Statement by Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice and National Integration at the consideration of Sri Lanka’s Initial Report under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
- Sri Lanka’s review under the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED)to be held in Geneva