UN resolution hailed as 'crucial turning point' for victims of Sri Lanka civil war

UK-led action ramps up scrutiny of the regime against a backdrop of worsening human rights abuses

Civil rights groups have welcomed a UK-led UN resolution on Sri Lanka as a crucial turning point for justice" for victims of the country's nearly 30-year-long conflict.

The resolution, which ramps up international monitoring and scrutiny of the country, was passed on Tuesday by the human rights council after the UN high commissioner for human rights warned Sri Lanka could rapidly descend into violence unless decisive international action was taken. Michelle Bachelet expressed alarm over worrying trends" in the country since President Gotabaya Rajapaksa took office in 2019 and last month told the human rights council the country had closed the door" on ending impunity for past abuses.