Throughout October, SLC is asking: what can make a difference for families of the disappeared? The fifth on the list is truth. In Sri Lanka, the truth about what happened to their loved ones, who was responsible and what action will be taken to hold perpetrators accountable still eludes thousands affected by enforced disappearances, even decades later. International human rights law recognises that families of the disappeared have the right to the truth. This means that any refusal by the authorities to share information about any ongoing investigations, the fate or whereabouts of the missing and the identity of the perpetrators are in violation of that right. For many families, the continuous denial of the truth by successive Sri Lankan governments has led to a deep sense of mistrust and a belief that the delays in justice are purposefully intended to make people forget what happened. Justice delayed is justice denied. With the discovery of mass graves in Sri Lanka, such as at Chemmani, there is a renewed opportunity to establish the truth. If exhumations and investigations are conducted properly, as the current government has promised, this could mean a significant step forward towards accountability. Exhumations following the Bosnian war, for example, led to more than 75% of the roughly 31,500 people reported missing in Bosnia being accounted for. Establishing the truth there meant that families were able to process what happened to their loved ones and begin their journey of healing. #SriLanka #EnforcedDisappearances #Justice #HumanRights #FamiliesOfTheDisappeared

On their journey to justice, families require the support of civil society, media and the international community to pressure the Sri Lankan authorities to take action. Their voices must be at the centre of efforts to address enforced disappearances. As part of our #7ThingsThatMakeADifference campaign, we're amplifying their voices and demands for truth, justice and accountability.

SLC joins activists, civil society and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in raising serious concerns over the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTA). The new Act, which is meant to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), retains provisions that risk perpetuating the serious human rights violations associated with the PTA, including its use against human rights defenders, journalists and other critics. We urge the Sri Lankan authorities to honour their manifesto commitment to abolish all oppressive acts, including the PTA, by repealing the PTA, withdrawing the PSTA, and protecting protesters’ rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and association.

Decades of investigations. Still no justice. Sri Lanka’s domestic mechanisms have repeatedly failed families of the disappeared. Political interference, delays and inadequate forensic capacity continue to obstruct justice. Independent investigations with a national DNA bank, stronger forensic standards, family participation and accountability are essential. This October, SLC examines 7 things that make a difference for families of the disappeared. #EnforcedDisappearances #SriLanka #ProperInvestigations

Families of the disappeared in Sri Lanka have spent decades demanding answers, often facing intimidation and harassment. International solidarity can amplify their voices and strengthen calls for accountability. Governments and international partners must maintain scrutiny and urge the Sri Lankan Government to uphold its human rights obligations. Solidarity must support the demands of families and their activism. This October, SLC examines 7 things that make a difference for families of the disappeared. #EnforcedDisappearances #SriLanka #Solidarity #TruthAndJustice

Today protests organised by the NECC have called for the proposed PSTA Bill not to be passed as it retains abusive powers for executive detention and maintains the same over-broad definition of terrorism as the PTA. #SriLanka #PSTA

For decades, Sri Lankan governments have failed to fulfil their human rights commitments towards families of the disappeared in Sri Lanka. Despite receiving detailed recommendations from international bodies and setting up domestic mechanisms to investigate enforced disappearances, thousands of people remain unaccounted for. Commitment means turning promises into truth, justice and accountability. It means initiating independent investigations and prosecutions, allowing families of the disappeared to participate meaningfully in searches and investigations and conducting credible searches and exhumations of mass graves. #SriLanka #EnforcedDisappearances #Accountability #HumanRights #TransitionalJustice

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and advisor Basil Fernando. A lawyer, poet and tireless human rights defender, Basil dedicated his life to justice, dignity and the rule of law. His wisdom and generosity will be greatly missed. His legacy will endure and SLC will continue to uphold the values he championed: accountability, human rights and justice for all. Read our full tribute here: srilankacampaign.org/remembe…

Sri Lanka’s High Court has convicted 15 of 24 accused in the Easter bombings case and acquitted 9. This verdict is an important judicial development but it is not enough. Earlier this year, we called for a full investigation into the failures preceding the attacks, accountability wherever the evidence leads and answers for victims and families. With ongoing investigations into intelligence failures and allegations of information being withheld, these questions remain and the search for justice continues. The search for justice continues. Read our earlier analysis of the Easter bombings here: srilankacampaign.org/seven-y…

Today marks the UN International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. On this day, we commemorate the disappeared by looking at Sri Lanka’s mass graves and what happens next for the families of the disappeared. Read our latest blog on Sri Lanka’s history of mass graves and the search for the disappeared. 👇 srilankacampaign.org/exhumin… #StandUp4HumanRights #EnforcedDisappearances #30August

Ahead of the 30 August, the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, we ask: what happens when a mass grave is found and how can exhumations help the families of the disappeared? In Sri Lanka, exhumation must lead to identification, truth and justice. Read our latest blog here: srilankacampaign.org/exhumin… #SriLanka #Disappearances #Massgraves

The N in NGO stands for NON-governmental. SLC opposes Sri Lanka’s proposed updates to the NGO Bill 2026, which would require NGOs to “align with the policies of the Government”. Freedom of association is a fundamental right: people must be able to form, join and participate in groups without undue government interference. This Bill risks undermining that freedom through mandatory registration, intrusive monitoring, vague restrictions and broad powers to suspend NGOs. Sri Lanka needs independent civil society - not government-approved civil society.

SLC welcomes the conviction of former Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando for criminal negligence over the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. We’ve updated our earlier blog to reflect this development, while reiterating that justice remains incomplete and raising concerns about the death penalty. Read it here: srilankacampaign.org/seven-y…

Black July remains one of the darkest chapters in Sri Lanka’s post-independence history. Every year, SLC commemorates July 1983, when the Sri Lankan state committed a 7-day anti-Tamil pogrom, killing around 3,000 Tamil civilians and injuring, raping, and forcibly displacing thousands more. In its 2023 Black July report, SLC established that not one single perpetrator was held accountable. What has changed since then? Read our most recent blog on Black July: lnkd.in/eYwr2PnN