AG rejects UNHRC report’s criticism of department

During a meeting this week with United Nations Sri Lanka Resident Representative Marc-Andre Franche, Mr. Ranasinghe refuted the contents of the report and noted that a formal response has already been forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The reply will be incorporated into the Government’s overall submission to be presented at the 60th sessions of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva next week.

The advanced copy of the report, released earlier this month, identified the lack of reform within the AG’s Department as a key obstacle to justice. It highlighted concerns over prosecutorial discretion, reluctance to pursue cases based on uncorroborated evidence, limited police investigative capacity, lack of forensic expertise, and shortage of Tamil-speaking officers — issues it said were impeding victims’ access to justice.

The UN report noted that, under the Government’s policy manifesto, plans were in place to create a Directorate of Public Prosecution independent of the AG’s Department. An expert committee has been appointed to examine the proposal, with public, Human Rights Commission, and civil society input to be sought on a draft concept paper.