Sri Lanka at 'tipping point’ with risk of return to past atrocities, activists warn

Civil rights groups say situation getting worse on a daily basis' as UN human rights chief expresses alarm over deepening impunity

Sri Lanka could descend swiftly back into violence and human rights abuses unless decisive international action is taken, the UN high commissioner for human rights and civil rights groups warned.

In a speech to the human rights council on Wednesday, Michelle Bachelet is expected to issue a stark warning that the Sri Lankan government has closed the door" on ending impunity for past abuses and is facing a return to state repression of civil society and a militarisation of public institutions.