Peace

Critics point to continued arbitrary detentions and institutionalised opacity, especially in Tamil-majority regions.

Dhaka has for decades pressed Islamabad for three key steps: a formal apology for the atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during the 1971 war, repayment of an estimated USD 4.5 billion owed to Bangladesh since independence, and the repatriation of thousands of Pakistanis stranded in the country.

Sri Lanka’s Government has a “historic opportunity” to end decades of impunity and deliver justice for victims of past violations, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) has said, urging sweeping reforms to address crimes committed during and after the country’s civil war.

In a significant announcement, Yunus declared that the interim government would formally request the Election Commission to organise the national election in February 2026, prior to the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

UNICEF also called for more humanitarian aid and commercial traffic to come in to stabilise the situation and reduce the desperation of the population.

Britain has maintained an open stance on limited engagement to support humanitarian aid delivery and address shared concerns over migration and terrorism.

The situation came to a head last week with the gruesome daylight lynching of 39-year-old scrap dealer Chand Mia, also known as Sohag, in front of the Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, the de facto authorities have conveyed grievances around frozen assets, sanctions, non-recognition, the need for greater development assistance, and an end to aid dependency.