The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein praised the government Government of Sri Lanka, saying that the overall steps to implement some of the key commitments made in UN Resolution last year are encouraging.

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However, he added that more rapid and sustained progress could have been made on some other issues.

"Overall, the Human Rights Council should be encouraged thus far by the steps that the Government of Sri Lanka has taken to implement some of the key commitments made in Resolution 30/1, and the consultations and preparations now underway to further elaborate and design the transitional justice mechanisms," Al-Hussein said in the advanced version of his oral update on Sri Lanka, released on Monday.

The report on Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka listed the restoration of the Constitutional Council, an independent Human Rights Commission and the ratification of the Disappearances Convention (CED) as important achievements of the government.

"Nonetheless, the establishment of full transitional justice mechanisms will be needed to provide a comprehensive response to past human rights violations and ensure that they do not reccur," it said.

The UNHRC Chief noted that more rapid and sustained progress could have been made on issues such as the release of land and detainees and the revision of the PTA and witness protection laws, which would build confidence with the minority community.

However, he acknowledged that the transformative process will take time. "Inevitably, the transformative process on which Sri Lanka is embarked will take time. Dealing with the multiple tracks of constitutional reform, transitional justice, economic recovery and security sector reform would tax the capacity of any government," the Al-Hussein explained.

Meanwhile, he urged the Government to take concrete steps to address the impatience, anxiety and reservations towards the process that stem from various quarters, and reiterated the importance for all Sri Lankans to rally behind the process."

The High Commissioner also said that his office will continue to stand ready to provide further advice and technical assistance.