The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has released a wide-ranging report warning that many of the core human rights issues that emerged from Sri Lanka’s civil war remain unresolved, with communities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces continuing to face obstacles in securing truth, justice, land rights, religious freedom, livelihoods, and meaningful reconciliation.
In its October 2026 report, the Commission states that the legacy of war, discrimination, displacement and impunity continues to affect Tamil, Muslim and other communities in the North and East, despite the end of the armed conflict more than seventeen years ago. The report identifies ten key areas of concern: enforced disappearances, mass graves, memorialisation, militarisation, surveillance and intimidation, land disputes, the expulsion of Northern Muslims, freedom of religion or belief, development projects, and threats to livelihoods.
The Commission expresses particular concern over the failure to establish the fate of thousands of disappeared persons. Families of the disappeared told the HRCSL that they continue to face bureaucratic obstacles, repeated requests to resubmit documentation, and pressure to accept compensation or death certificates instead of obtaining the truth about their loved ones. The report notes that many victims continue to face intimidation and harassment while pursuing justice.
The HRCSL also highlights major concerns regarding investigations into mass graves. It points to the discovery of more than 580 skeletal remains at the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna and identifies serious shortcomings in forensic capacity, DNA testing, and institutional coordination. The Commission calls for the establishment of a national DNA bank and stronger mechanisms to investigate mass graves in accordance with international standards.
On memorialisation, the report criticises the continued use of police action, court orders, and security laws to restrict commemorations in the North and East. It argues that families have the right to remember deceased relatives regardless of political affiliation and warns that the use of anti-terrorism legislation against memorial activities undermines reconciliation and freedom of expression.
The report further finds that militarisation remains deeply entrenched across the region. It documents ongoing military occupation of private land, the military’s involvement in agriculture and education, and the continued influence of security institutions over civilian life. The Commission argues that Sri Lanka lacks a comprehensive plan to reduce the military presence in the North and East and restore civilian governance.]
The HRCSL also raises concerns about extensive surveillance and intimidation of victims’ families, activists, journalists and civil society organisations. It notes that protesters are frequently monitored, photographed and questioned by security agencies and that such practices have created a climate of fear and self-censorship detrimental to democratic participation.
Land disputes remain another major source of grievance. While acknowledging some recent land releases, the Commission reports that many displaced families are still unable to return to their original lands, obtain ownership documents, or rebuild their livelihoods. It additionally warns that state-backed settlement policies and demographic changes have intensified tensions in several districts.
A significant section of the report is devoted to the 1990 expulsion of approximately 75,000 Northern Muslims by the LTTE. The Commission states that this mass displacement has never received adequate official recognition and that many families continue to face obstacles in returning to their original homes or securing reparations. It calls for a dedicated inquiry into the expulsion and a state-supported programme to assist returning Northern Muslims.
The report also documents allegations of discrimination affecting minority religious communities, including obstruction of Hindu worship, disputes over religious sites, and the appropriation of land for Buddhist religious structures. The Commission warns that selective application of laws and state support for certain religious claims have undermined confidence in the state’s commitment to religious pluralism and equality.
The Commission further criticises several large-scale development projects in the North and East, including the proposed Kilinochchi Cement Plant, Mannar sand mining initiatives, wind power developments and the planned Jaffna International Cricket Stadium. It says affected communities were often excluded from decision-making and warns that environmental damage could threaten livelihoods and biodiversity.
Concluding that many post-war grievances remain unresolved, the HRCSL has issued an extensive set of recommendations, including stronger investigations into enforced disappearances, reforms to mass grave inquiries, an end to the misuse of security laws against memorialisation, the return of military-occupied lands, protection of religious freedom, and measures to strengthen civilian livelihoods and democratic freedoms in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
The report:HRCSL-Report-on-the-Human-Rights-Situation-of-the-Northern-and-Eastern-Provinces-of-Sri-Lanka