Jaffna, Sri Lanka – September 9, 2025
The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has issued a strong rebuttal to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath’s statement at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, accusing the Sri Lankan Government of failing to deliver on key promises related to reconciliation, accountability, and democratic rights.
In its official response, ITAK expressed deep disappointment over the Government’s lack of progress on transitional justice, particularly its continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) despite repeated assurances of repeal. The party condemned the Government’s reversal of its earlier stance by now proposing new counter-terrorism legislation, and criticized the ongoing enforcement of the Online Safety Act.
No Internal Accountability, No Justice for Victims
ITAK highlighted the absence of any credible internal accountability mechanisms more than 15 years after the end of the armed conflict. The party pointed to the recent discovery of 240 skeletal remains in Chemmani, Jaffna—believed to be victims of extra-judicial killings—as evidence of genocidal intent. It noted that Sri Lanka lacks the forensic expertise to identify the victims and lamented the Government’s failure to seek international assistance in this and other cases involving mass graves and enforced disappearances.
Provincial Council Elections: A Deliberate Delay
The party also criticized the Government’s written submission to the UNHRC, which stated that Provincial Council (PC) elections would be held only after the completion of the delimitation process. ITAK described this as a deliberate attempt to delay elections for several more years, thereby denying the franchise of Tamil-speaking communities in the North and East.
Former MP and ITAK General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran called on the Government to immediately support the private member’s bill introduced by MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, which seeks to facilitate the holding of PC elections under the current proportional representation system.
India’s Support for Tamil Aspirations
ITAK welcomed India’s intervention at UNHRC60, which reiterated its call for meaningful devolution and expressed support for the Tamil community’s aspirations for equality, justice, dignity, and peace. India also urged Sri Lanka to conduct PC elections without further delay.
Leadership Speaks
The response was jointly signed by ITAK President C.V.K. Sivagnanam and General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran, underscoring the party’s unified stance on the urgent need for democratic restoration and international engagement in Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process.
Key Takeaways:
- ITAK condemns lack of progress on PTA repeal and accountability.
- Calls for international involvement in mass grave investigations.
- Demands immediate PC elections without waiting for delimitation.
- Welcomes India’s support for Tamil rights and devolution.
ITAK seeks to hold the Sri Lankan Government accountable for its commitments and failures on the global stage.
The PDF of the stateent: ITAK RESPONSE TO FM UNHRC 60