A/HRC/40/23 I. Introduction 1. The present report on progress achieved in promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka is submitted to the Human Rights Council pursuant to Council resolutions 30/1 and 34/1. Both of the said resolutions were co-sponsored by the Government of Sri Lanka and adopted by consensus. 2. The report should be read in conjunction with the most recent reports of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Sri Lanka (A/HRC/34/20 and A/HRC/37/23), the oral update of the High Commissioner delivered to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-fourth session,1 the comprehensive report of OHCHR on Sri Lanka (A/HRC/30/61) and the detailed findings of the OHCHR investigation thereof.2 3. In its resolution 34/1, the Human Rights Council requested the Government of Sri Lanka to implement fully the outstanding measures identified by the Council in its resolution 30/1. It also requested OHCHR and relevant special procedure mandate holders, in consultation with, and with the concurrence of, the Government of Sri Lanka, to strengthen their advice and technical assistance on the promotion and protection of human rights and truth, justice, reconciliation and accountability. The Council also requested OHCHR to continue to assess progress in the implementation of its recommendations and other relevant processes relating to reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, and to present a comprehensive report, followed by a discussion on the implementation of resolution 30/1, at its fortieth session. The present report was prepared pursuant to that request. 4. In its resolution 30/1, the Human Rights Council made a number of comprehensive recommendations on the judicial and non-judicial measures necessary to advance accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, and on strengthening the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The resolution reflects the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to the international community and to its own people to confronting the past, ending impunity, ensuring justice, achieving reconciliation and preventing the recurrence of violations. In resolution 34/1, the Council extended the period of implementation identified in resolution 30/1 until its fortieth session, namely for a further period of two years. 5. In the present report, OHCHR reviews the progress made by the Government of Sri Lanka between October 2015 and January 2019 in implementing resolution 30/1, paying special attention to the period since January 2018, not covered in previous reports. II. Engagement of the Government with the Office of the High Commissioner and United Nations human rights mechanisms 6. Since the adoption by the Human Rights Council of its resolution 30/1, the Government of Sri Lanka has regularly engaged with the United Nations system, including with OHCHR. The High Commissioner, the Deputy High Commissioner and senior OHCHR staff have visited Sri Lanka since 2015. OHCHR has continued to provide the Government with technical assistance through its presence in Sri Lanka and by deploying expert missions. In 2018, OHCHR contributed to the human rights screening of Sri Lankan individuals and units to be deployed to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and assisted in the archiving of materials resulting from the national consultations on the reconciliation mechanisms conducted in 2016 by the Consultations Task Force, a group of civil society representatives appointed by the Government of Sri Lanka. OHCHR also provided advice and support on various aspects of transitional justice, including through the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, in coordination with the United Nations country team and the Resident Coordinator. OHCHR also supported dialogues with the Government on the establishment of a national 1 2 2 See conference room paper A/HRC/32/CRP.4, available from www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/hrc/regularsessions/session32/pages/listreports.aspx. See conference room paper A/HRC/30/CRP.2, available from www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/hrc/pages/oisl.aspx.