President rules out foreign judges in war crimes probe

19 March 2016 04:25 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena has reiterated that he will not have international judges on the bench for probe on war crimes cases which have been allegedly committed by government troops and the LTTE.

Addressing the National Law Conference in Wadduwa yesterday, President Sirisena said: "I will not agree to get foreign judges in to any kind of investigations into human rights violations allegations".

He said he had the fullest confidence in the local judges and judicial administrators, so there was no need for international judges.

The President had made a similar comment a few weeks ago to the international media and that created a storm with human rights groups insisting that he reconsider his stand.

According to the UN human rights council resolution of 2014, Sri Lanka was to set up an international mechanism to probe the war crimes charges.

Sri Lanka co-sponsored the 2015 resolution with the US which also called for a mechanism with international judges and prosecutors.

The UN rights Chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein in his report submitted at the September 2015 session of the UNHRC blamed the local judiciary for its lack of capacity to deliver justice.(PTI)

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Comments - 10

gayan Saturday, 19 March 2016 09:08 PM

Effects of hyde park rally?!

SL-Wallah Saturday, 19 March 2016 11:19 PM

The Yahapalanaya is not definitive in arriving at a definitive decision on this all important issue and give the general public the signals as to what sort of “Unity” they maintain. Mangala Samaraweera acts as if he is the final authority on this issue and goes around the world declaring that foreign judges is a possibility to which the UN showed a lot of interest in favour of SL administration. Then Ranil has been making similar statements to that of Mangala, while Sirisena is steadfast in rejection of foreign judges. On top of everything, Tamil Diasporas are pressurising the UN and UN wants what Tamils want and not the real truth. All in all, Yahapalanaya appears to have severe cracks in its very foundation and would collapse before long making a return path for MR which is not the best for the country apart from objecting to sharing power with Tamils to which all Sinhala people agree including me.

saman Sunday, 20 March 2016 12:29 AM

To your Western masters, you already promised otherwise.

Jacoob Typical Sunday, 20 March 2016 06:11 AM

Looks like the Honeymoon is now over and now only he is acting like a typical srilankan politician of 60 years heredity. Wee done His Excellency. What next , no abolition of Executive Presidency

raj Sunday, 20 March 2016 06:45 AM

In other words, you are ruling out any war crime inquiry. What does mean the UN resolution supported by the Sri Lanka ?

Wele Vidane Sunday, 20 March 2016 09:06 AM

Do you really know what is happening?

onlooker Sunday, 20 March 2016 09:38 AM

Mr. President you only talk. RW, SF And others have a different opinion and practically that is what happens. You are not capable, hand over the reigns to MR.

Sharon Sunday, 20 March 2016 09:41 AM

We dont trust you Sir. via DM iOS App

Lal Sunday, 20 March 2016 09:55 AM

MR worshippers still think conspiracy theories still work

Yahapalonis Sunday, 20 March 2016 10:25 AM

Absolutely correct. No clear cut policy at all. Telling one thing to country men, whilst pleasing IC with totally different things.

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President rules out foreign judges in war crimes probe

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