Considerable progress has been made towards the commitment by the Government of Sri Lanka to finding a durable solution for all people displaced by the war, including return to their home areas. Since the humanitarian crisis triggered by the displacement of nearly 300,000 Internally Displaced Persons from the conflict zone in 2008 and into 2009, the Government ensured basic humanitarian assistance to those in camps, supported by the United Nations (UN), national and international NonGovernment Organizations (NGOs), and International Organizations (IOs).

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On 22 June 2010, the Secretary-General announced the appointment of a Panel of Experts to advise him on the implementation of the joint commitment included in the statement issued by the President of Sri Lanka and the Secretary-General at the conclusion of the Secretary-General’s visit to Sri Lanka on 23 March 2009. In the Joint Statement, the Secretary-General “underlined the importance of an accountability process”, and the Government of Sri Lanka agreed that it “will take measures to address those grievances”. The Panel’s mandate is to advise the Secretary- General regarding the modalities, applicable international standards and comparative experience relevant to an accountability process, having regard to the nature and scope of alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law during the final stages of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. The Secretary-General appointed as members of the Panel Marzuki Darusman (Indonesia), Chair; Steven Ratner (United States); and Yasmin Sooka (South Africa). The Panel formally commenced its work on 16 September 2010 and was assisted throughout by a secretariat.

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The Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Walter Kälin, conducted an official mission to Sri Lanka from 14 to 21 December 2007, by invitation of the Sri Lankan Government and pursuant to his mandate contained in resolution 6/32 of the Human Rights Council. His main objective was to engage in dialogue with the Government with a view to improving the protection and ensuring the full enjoyment of the human rights of the estimated 577,000 persons displaced in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, his assessment identifies key obstacles and conditions necessary to enable internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka to find durable solutions.

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