Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Foreign judges not the sole obsession: Mangala

28 March 2017 10:07 pm - 7     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The inclusion of foreign judicial personnel in a domestic process as recommended by the 2015 UNHRC resolution that was recently extended by two years, was not the sole obsession of the government nor the international community, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

The government’s main concern was establishing a fair, independent and credible judicial process that will address the needs of all stakeholders, the Minister said speaking at a press briefing in Colombo today.

Reiterating several comments from a press briefing held last week, Samaraweera explained the recommendation for foreign judicial officers to be part of the domestic process was recommended as faith in the judiciary had declined under the previous regime.

“We will establish a transparent mechanism that will be accepted by all and the international community knows this. The resolution is not something that is carved in stone and as the High Commissioner for Human Rights himself said in Sri Lanka, there are certain proposals they think is necessary to be followed but the final decision will be made by Sri Lanka. This was what was promoted under the system that we proposed in 2015.”

Speaking of allegations of war crimes levelled against the Sri Lankan army, Samaraweera said that whether they indeed amounted to war crimes would have to be decided by a court. Sri Lanka had one of the most disciplined army in the world but there were miscreants in the system as expected in every system. If the allegations of crimes are proven the government would take legal action accordingly, he promised.

Speaking of the recommendations of the resolution that would be implemented in the coming months, the Minister said the government was in the process of exploring the contours of a truth seeking mechanism, which they hoped would be passed by the Cabinet soon.

Mr. Samaraweera was unable to divulge the exact nature of the mechanism, but assured the final product would be something that would be acceptable to all. (Nabeela Hussain)

Pix by Kushan Pathiraja


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 7

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • RDF Wednesday, 29 March 2017 05:00 AM

    You are not straight talking. Very dubious and taking care not to commit. If the president can tell directly about not including foreign judges why do you avoid telling it.Very untrustworthy.

    Leo Wednesday, 29 March 2017 06:14 AM

    Well spoken only hope this is not just talk like RW. The tri forces have to be investigated and if their are war crimes then they have to go through the legal system. Winning a war committing war crimes does not make them heros. Those who fought a tough war not committing war crimes are the real heros who are worth all praise. via DM Android App

    Donkey Wednesday, 29 March 2017 06:22 AM

    WHITE, YELLOW OR BLACK LIES

    Ganesh Wednesday, 29 March 2017 07:25 AM

    He is not dubious because he who faces all in the world 's forum not the puppet President who is dubious because he said and promised a lot of things now he back tracks saying as if he has backbone to playing to the gallery

    Thanos Wednesday, 29 March 2017 08:04 AM

    It is the sole obsession and with good reason. People in the North didn't ask for international courts, they didn't ask for Tamil only judges, they only asked for foreign judges because they simply can't trust the local judges. A small number of foreign judges and investigator sworn under the SL constitution.

    Sheri Wednesday, 29 March 2017 09:29 AM

    Its the government which decides not the tamil minority!

    seqi Wednesday, 29 March 2017 10:59 AM

    Needs therapy via DM Android App


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H