The Parliament of Norway is set to hold a formal debate this week on Sri Lanka’s political trajectory and human rights record, one year after the country’s most recent elections.
The Stortinget will convene a formal interpellation debate on 26 February 2026 to examine “current developments in Sri Lanka” and assess the direction of governance, democratic reforms and accountability under the present administration.
The debate has been initiated by Member of Parliament Kamzy Gunaratnam of the Norwegian Labour Party and will be addressed by Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. It will focus on a number of key areas, including governance and anti-corruption commitments, the human rights situation, developments affecting ethnic and religious minorities, and “ongoing concerns regarding militarisation, accountability, and reconciliation”.
Foe years, Tamils in the North-East have repeatedly raised concerns over land occupation, militarisation and the lack of accountability for mass atrocities.
Gunaratnam emphasised the importance of international engagement on Sri Lanka’s situation, stating: “Sri Lanka has experienced profound political, economic, and social challenges in recent years. The purpose of this parliamentary debate is to contribute to informed international dialogue, grounded in democratic values, human rights, and long-term stability.”
The interpellation process is a formal parliamentary mechanism in Norway that allows for in-depth debate on matters of national and international significance. The upcoming session will provide Norwegian lawmakers an opportunity to question the government’s policy approach to Sri Lanka and consider future engagement.
The debate will be publicly accessible via a live stream hosted by the Norwegian Parliament on www.stortinget.no .
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