The UN Human Rights Council’s 34th session ended on March 24. Ostensibly, the session was an important moment for Sri Lanka’s coalition government, which is led by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sri Lanka’s compliance with a previously passed Council resolution (designed to promote human rights and transitional justice) came under review.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera addressed the body on Feb. 28 and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, provided a critical assessment of the government’s performance during the session. On March 23, as expected, another cosponsored resolution was passed on Sri Lanka.