By 
21-02-2025
Patricia Petrosian
SouthEast Asia Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
Sri Lanka’s new government has swept into office with assurances of bold economic reforms and renewed pledges to deliver justice for past human rights abuses. For many people in Sri Lanka, this feels like a flicker of hope after years of political turmoil and financial upheaval. On one hand, widespread shortages and soaring living costs have taken a toll on ordinary families, leaving them eager for a rescue plan that restores basic stability. On the other, countless survivors of the country’s decades-long civil war are still waiting for answers and for justice that has remained elusive ever since the conflict officially ended in 2009.
Despite the new administration’s spirited promises, the country’s economic crisis continues to loom large. Mounting foreign debt, rising inflation, and the fallout from previous leadership decisions have made day-to-day life increasingly difficult. When the International Monetary Fund (IMF) offered a loan in 2023, it was hailed by some as a lifeline. However, critics worried that the stringent conditions attached to that relief could erode key human rights protections, especially if austerity measures prompted cuts to welfare programmes. In a place where many citizens are already struggling to meet their basic needs, there is a genuine fear that purely economic fixes might overshadow deeper reforms meant to uphold the rights and dignity of the people.
Concerns about accountability have also taken centre stage. Critics point out that previous governments made grand statements about investigating civil war abuses, yet victims and their families often ended up disappointed. Allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture remain unresolved. At the same time, harsh legislation—like the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)—lingers, giving authorities sweeping powers that can be misused to target political opponents and peaceful activists. Although officials have hinted at plans to modify or repeal these laws, many Sri Lankans remain sceptical, recalling a history of unfulfilled promises.
Still, there are signs of potential progress. Government representatives have floated the idea of working more closely with United Nations bodies to investigate past atrocities and to ensure ongoing accountability measures. If followed through, this could represent a true break from the pattern of political interference that has stalled similar efforts in the past. Equally important is the role of the international community. The IMF and the World Bank, for instance, have come under growing pressure to align their loan agreements with social safeguards, making certain that funding doesn’t unintentionally undermine basic rights.
At this critical juncture, meaningful transformation in Sri Lanka hinges on both an honest commitment to economic healing and a parallel drive toward legal and social reforms. People deserve to know that they will not lose their freedom of expression or be wrongfully detained when they speak out. They want to be assured that fair investigations will take place and that perpetrators of war-era abuses—whoever they may be—will be held responsible. The promise of change, however inspiring, must be matched by visible, consistent action. Only then can Sri Lanka hope to emerge from the shadows of its past and chart a course towards a more open and equitable future.
Sources and further reading:
HRW. (2023, March 29). Sri Lanka: IMF loan risks eroding rights. Human Rights Watch. Accessed 21 February 2025. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/03/29/sri-lanka-imf-loan-risks-eroding-rights
HRW. (2024, July 17). Sri Lanka: False terrorism cases enable repression. Human Rights Watch. Accessed 21 February 2025. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/17/sri-lanka-false-terrorism-cases-enable-repression
HRW. (2024, October 2). Sri Lanka: UN Rights Council should extend crucial mandate. Human Rights Watch. Accessed 21 February 2025. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/02/sri-lanka-un-rights-council-should-extend-crucial-mandate
Lena Simet. (2024, October 17). World Bank, IMF are missing the mark on social security. Human Rights Watch. Accessed 21 February 2025. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/17/world-bank-imf-are-missing-mark-social-security
HRW. (2024, November 25). Sri Lanka: New president should reset course on rights. Human Rights Watch. Accessed 21 February 2025. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/25/sri-lanka-new-president-should-reset-course-rights
HRW. (2025, January 16). Sri Lanka: New government pledges economic reform, justice. Human Rights Watch. Accessed 21 February 2025. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/01/16/sri-lanka-new-government-pledges-economic-reform-justice
Tirana Hassan. (2025). World report 2025: Sri Lanka. Human Rights Watch. Accessed 21 February 2025. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/sri-lanka
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