Sri Lanka

Thevuni Kotigala.
UN Women

“I have always lived in fear”, young Sri Lanka activist says

6 November 2016
General News

The trauma of war still lingers with Sri Lankans whether they have been affected directly or not, an activist from the country told a meeting at the UN.

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Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Sri Lanka: UN rights expert urges Government to take concrete steps to protect minorities

20 October 2016
In her first information-gathering visit to Sri Lanka, Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on minority issues, stressed the importance of renewed support for minority rights by the Government, including a plan for specific and urgent measures.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addresses event in Sri Lanka on “Sustaining Peace – Achieving Sustainable Development Goals.”
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

In first visit to Sri Lanka since end of war, Ban flags role of human rights and sustainable development on path to stability

2 September 2016
In his first visit to Sri Lanka since the end of its civil war seven years ago, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the country’s steps towards peace and reconciliation, while also highlighting the importance of and need for more progress with human rights and sustainable development for that progress.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses a youth event in Galle, Sri Lanka.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

In Sri Lanka, UN chief highlights key role of young people in building peace and sustainable development

1 September 2016
Involvement of all sections of the society, in particular its young people, in bottom-up peace building approaches is vital to ensure sustainable social justice, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today at a youth event in Sri Lanka.
Aerial view of flooding in Sri Lanka, after Tropical Storm Roanu hit the island.
UNDP Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Deadly tropical storm displaces more than 230,000, UN relief wing reports

24 May 2016
The United Nations humanitarian wing has reported that at least 84 people have died, another 116 are missing, and more than 230,000 are displaced following a severe tropical storm this past week that caused widespread flooding and landslides in 22 districts of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Juan Mendez, Special Rapporteur on Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

UN experts urge Sri Lanka to adopt measures to fight torture and strengthen justice system

10 May 2016
Two United Nations experts have urged the Government of Sri Lanka to replace the legal framework that allowed human rights violations to occur and to establish democratic institutions in line with international human rights standards.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, briefs the media at the UN Compound in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
© UN Sri Lanka/Muradh Mohideen

After 30 years of conflict, Sri Lanka still in 'early stages of renewal' – UN rights chief

9 February 2016
After nearly 30 years of conflict and acrimony that not only cost tens of thousands of lives but also eroded vital components of the State, Sri Lanka is still in the early stages of renewal, the United Nations human rights chief said today, ending a mission to the country.
Photo: WFP Sri Lanka/Hamish Appleby
WFP Sri Lanka/Hamish Appleby

Ban congratulates Sri Lanka on first anniversary of political transition

8 January 2016
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated the President of Sri Lanka, the Government and its citizens on the first year of the country's political transition.