The National Peace Council congratulates the government and the people of Sri Lanka on the country's rise from 97th to 67th place in the 2026 Global Peace Index. At a time when global peacefulness has declined for the twelfth consecutive year and South Asia has become one of the world's least peaceful regions, Sri Lanka's achievement demonstrates that progress is possible when democratic governance, accountability and political stability are strengthened. However, this important achievement should not lead to complacency. It should provide the impetus to complete the reforms that remain unfinished and that are essential to securing a just and lasting peace.
The next step is to match progress in peace rankings with tangible progress in democratic reform, reconciliation and justice. Completing these long promised reforms will lay a firm foundation for national development that is sustainable. The National Peace Council urges the government to honour its commitment to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act as promised and replace it with legislation that fully complies with international human rights standards while safeguarding national security. We also call for the prompt completion of investigations into missing persons, including the Chemmani mass grave excavations, and for the truth and justice sought by affected families to be delivered without further delay.
NPC also calls on the government to move decisively to strengthen national reconciliation by advancing meaningful power sharing. In this regard, the long delayed Provincial Council elections should be held without further prevarication. The government has the responsibility, and the parliamentary majority, to make the necessary amendment to the Provincial Council Election Act to hold the election without further delay. Restoring elected Provincial Councils is both a constitutional obligation and an important confidence building measure that will strengthen democratic participation and demonstrate the government's commitment to political inclusion and devolution of power.
Governing Council
The National Peace Council is an independent and non partisan organization that works towards a negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. It has a vision of a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka in which the freedom, human rights and democratic rights of all the communities are respected. The policy of the National Peace Council is determined by its Governing Council of 20 members who are drawn from diverse walks of life and belong to all the main ethnic and religious communities in the country.