Deputy Minister of Defense Aruna Jayasekara has told Irida Mawbima that no war crimes have been committed in Sri Lanka. He acknowledged that there are differing opinions on what should or should not occur during wartime, but argued that such incidents do not necessarily fall under the legal definition of war crimes.
He emphasized that this does not imply wrongdoing by the Sri Lankan military. “Certain things happen during war,” he said, “but that does not mean the Sri Lankan Army committed war crimes.”
When asked about serious allegations expected to be raised at the ongoing Geneva Human Rights Council session, the Deputy Minister responded:
“We are aware of that. Since our government came to power 11 months ago, we have actively promoted reconciliation, inter-ethnic harmony, and democratic governance. The policy decisions we’ve taken to uphold law and order have made a real impact. Whatever allegations are made now, we have demonstrated our commitment through our actions over the past eleven months.”
The Deputy Minister’s remarks come amid renewed scrutiny at the 54th UN Human Rights Council session, where Sri Lanka faces persistent calls for accountability over alleged war crimes and enforced disappearances during the final stages of the civil war. Civil society groups and international bodies—including the OHCHR—continue to urge Sri Lanka to implement credible transitional justice mechanisms, cooperate with international investigations, and address impunity. The government’s denial of war crimes, while politically consistent, stands in contrast to mounting forensic evidence from sites like Chemmani and Mannar, and the lived experiences of victims and families still seeking truth and justice.