📈 HRCSL Submits Proposals to President AKD for 'A' Status Compliance

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake with updates and legislative proposals to maintain its 'A' status accreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). • Key Focus: The communication outlines the implementation of eight specific recommendations made by the GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) to enhance the commission's independence and effectiveness in line with the Paris Principles. • Actions Taken: Based on provisional reporting, the HRCSL provided updates on critical areas including: Conducting unannounced visits to places of deprivation of liberty. Addressing human rights violations, including custodial deaths, torture, and enforced disappearances. Strengthening interactions with the international human rights system, civil society organizations, and other human rights bodies. Improving financial autonomy, staff pluralism, and selection/appointment processes. • Proposed Reforms: The HRCSL presented formal proposals to the Government to amend the HRCSL Act, No. 21 of 1996. These amendments aim to legally bolster the Commission’s operational autonomy and strengthen the enforcement of its recommendations, which is vital for maintaining international standards and investor confidence in national institutional governance.