Human Rights Commission calls for full financial authority

14-May-2026

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The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has urged the President, through a letter, that funds required for the commission should be allocated separately in the national budget, and that the commission must be granted full administrative authority to utilise those funds.

The commission has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding the continued maintenance of the “A” status accreditation granted on May 9, 2024 by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.

In its letter, the commission stated that the current “A” status confirms that its appointment procedures and functions comply with the Paris Principles.

However, the letter also includes measures that must be implemented to retain the accreditation, along with proposals to strengthen the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act No. 21 of 1996.

Accordingly, the commission has requested an amendment to Section 10 of the Act to ensure constructive engagement with the UN Human Rights Council and other international human rights bodies.

It further stressed that the commission’s financial allocations must be specifically included in the budget, and that it should have full administrative authority to manage and utilise the allocated funds.

The commission also proposed that appointments to the body should reflect Sri Lanka’s diversity, including gender representation.