(Lanka-e-News -03.Sep.2025, 8.10 PM) Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Vijitha Herath, has sought to reassure diplomats and United Nations agencies that the country is committed to upholding human rights, repealing outdated security laws and ensuring the equal treatment of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity.
Addressing envoys in Colombo today(03), Mr Herath outlined the National People’s Power (NPP) government’s approach to what has long been a fraught issue in Sri Lanka’s post-war politics. He confirmed that the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act — long criticised by international observers for enabling arbitrary detention — would soon be repealed, adding that this pledge had already been formally given to parliament.
Elections, he stressed, would continue to be held on schedule, with law and order protected under a system designed to safeguard all citizens equally. “There is no room for ethnic-based politics or violence under this government,” Mr Herath said, emphasising that the NPP administration was “fostering ethnic harmony” and working transparently with the international community.
The foreign minister also confirmed that the government intends to proceed with the proposed Online Safety Bill, which he said would provide greater protection to individuals while remaining consistent with human rights standards.
In what observers viewed as a pointed assurance to Western governments, Mr Herath underlined that former combatants and their families were not being discriminated against. This, he argued, explained why many Western countries were no longer accepting asylum claims on the grounds of persecution linked to former LTTE ties.
The remarks were well received among minority representatives, many of whom note that Mr Herath himself is fluent in Tamil and has long advocated inclusive governance. His insistence on equal treatment for all Sri Lankans, regardless of community, has been central to the NPP government’s popularity among Tamil and Muslim voters.
International partners, including UN officials, have cautiously welcomed the government’s engagement. One senior diplomat described the exchanges as “a significant step in the right direction”, while a UN human rights officer noted that “clear follow-through on these commitments will be crucial to building trust”.
By setting out its position publicly, the NPP government is seeking to counter lingering doubts about Colombo’s record and present itself as a willing partner in the international human rights system.
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by (2025-09-03 14:41:47)
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