In 2016, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) established a series of
Thematic Sub-Committees that focused on specific human rights challenges. These
Sub-Committees were chaired by Commissioners, and consisted of members of civil
society organisations, human rights defenders, thematic experts, and academics.
In 2024, the HRCSL decided to re-launch its Thematic Sub-Committees. The eight new
Sub-Committees will focus on the following themes:
1. Personal Liberty*
2. Gender and SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity)
3. Child Rights
4. Freedom of Expression
5. Socio-economic Rights
6. Persons with Disabilities
7. The Malaiyaha Tamil Community
8. Business and Human Rights**
* This theme covers issues such as torture, custodial and encounter deaths, arbitrary
arrest and detention, and enforced disappearance.
** This theme covers issues such as rights of workers, labour reform, rights violations
ensuing from development projects, and environmental issues.
Composition
Each Sub-Committee will comprise the following members:
- A Chairperson, who will be a Commissioner of the HRCSL;
- A Rapporteur, who will be a Director of the HRCSL;
- Up to ten members who are representatives of civil society organisations working on the specific theme;
- Two members who are thematic experts.
- Up to four staff members of the HRCSL.
Nomination Process
The HRCSL invited nominations to fill the vacancies reserved for the representatives of civil society organisations and two thematic experts for each of the above Sub-
Committees.
To the extent possible, the HRCSL strived to ensure a balance in the composition of
each Sub-Committee in terms of gender, ethnicity, regional representation, age, and
disability status.
Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference of each Sub-Committees is as follows:
1. To review legislation, policies and official practices and procedures pertaining to each theme, and provide guidance to the HRCSL on its policy recommendations to the Government of Sri Lanka;
2. To advise the HRCSL on education and awareness raising with respect to each theme;
3. To advise and assist the HRCSL on conducting key research with respect to each theme; and
4. To advise the HRCSL on making representations to international human rights mechanisms relevant to each theme.
The Sub-Committees will meet at least once every quarter at the Head Office of the
HRCSL, and meetings will be held in a hybrid format to enable remote participation of members based outside Colombo.