Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Britain joins call for UN to probe on SL

10 March 2014 04:39 am - 31     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Britain is to join the US and three other countries in pushing for a full international inquiry into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka after the government there failed to satisfy international calls for a such an inquiry, Downing Street announced on Sunday.

Speaking last November at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Colombo, David Cameron gave Sri Lanka four months to conduct "a credible, thorough inquiry" into crimes alleged to have been committed during Sri Lanka's 26-year civil war.

The prime minister's office said on Sunday that Sri Lanka had failed to do so and the UK had joined four other countries in tabling a motion at the UN human rights council. It supports the call by the UN high commissioner for human rights for an international, independent investigation into violations of human rights and related crimes by both sides during the war.

A vote on resolution will take place at the end of this month.

A spokesperson for the prime minister added: "Ahead of the vote, we are working hard to secure support from other countries. The PM has personally written to a number of leaders whose countries are on the human rights council this session calling on them to support this resolution which would help to deliver progress on reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka."

Sri Lanka in the past has refused to allow the UN unrestricted access to former war zones.

The Sri Lankan army crushed Tamil Tiger separatists in the final battle of a long civil war in 2009, in a strategy partly drawn up by President Mahinda Rajapaksa's brother, the defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

About 300,000 civilians were trapped on a narrow beach during the onslaught and a UN panel has estimated that 40,000 non-combatants died. Both sides committed atrocities, but army shelling killed most victims, it concluded.

Since the end of the war, harassment of government critics, including attacks on journalists and human rights workers have continued. A heavy army presence in the former Tamil Tiger strongholds in the north of the country angers some local ethnic Tamils who feel they are treated as enemies of the state.

On Sunday, Channel 4 News said it had obtained new evidence which it, and Tamil campaigners, have said demonstrated that an underlying culture of systematic brutality and sexual violence existed within the ranks of the Sri Lankan military.

The footage, which was reported to have been filmed by a soldier on a mobile phone, was said to show troops laughing and cheering as they celebrated the deaths of Tamil insurgents and performing acts of grotesque sexual violation on the bodies.

The channel has continued to report on what it said was evidence, in the form of various pieces of footage, of the apparently systematic execution and sexual violation of prisoners.

The Sri Lankan government has claimed that the footage is, variously, doctored, manipulated or acted by Tamil insurgents dressed as government soldiers and speaking Sinhala, the language of the vast majority of government soldiers.(The Guardian)

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 - 31

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
  • really Monday, 10 March 2014 08:01 AM

    [quote name="ind"]Don't tell lies. Tamils live with Sinhalese without any issue. Only LTTE elements have so called issues.[/quote]

    Be honest mate. What about the Tamils not near you?

    M.Muttha Tuesday, 11 March 2014 08:18 AM

    David, David, what is the percentage of Tamil voters in your constituency? It is not you who is talking but the Diaspora well entrenched in UK. Anyway mate you are going to loose the next elections with or without their votes. via DM iPad app

    JJ Monday, 10 March 2014 02:49 PM

    [quote name="Sumangala"]Come- r- on.Bring your troops and Come-r- on we will take you on.[/quote]
    Couple of drones will shut your big mouth. Don't be stupid....

    kumar Monday, 10 March 2014 02:04 PM

    [quote name="Ey"]Mind your on business...................[/quote]
    That is what they are doing.

    tom Monday, 10 March 2014 01:11 PM

    THANK YOU C4....THANK YOU.

    Gamini Monday, 10 March 2014 01:11 PM

    Mind your own business David.

    Erantha Monday, 10 March 2014 12:34 PM

    Funny Chanel 4 is owned by a Tamil, A Tamil is the head of UN human rights.... and the US AND UK thinks all they say is truth....

    Erantha Monday, 10 March 2014 12:30 PM

    Mr. Camaron, How come over 30% of Colombo population is tamil and they are living peacefully ?

    Suq Madique Monday, 10 March 2014 11:15 AM

    [quote name="ram"]Thank you for all you understand our real situation in Sri Lanka you have to fight behalf of us –Ram Batticaloa.[/quote]
    First you got the LTTE to fight on your behalf and now you want the UK? Just what exactly is your grouse?

    Fuzzy Monday, 10 March 2014 02:34 PM

    Mr.Cameron why don't u make a statement on the atrocities committed by the British that goes well over 26 years. Way before your father or even your grand father was born. Don't try to clean other people's rubbish when ur living in a heap of garbage. via DM Android App

    ABC Monday, 10 March 2014 02:19 PM

    Hi cameron, Good luck with yr next election. we all know yr HR record very well. via DM Android App

    ASD Monday, 10 March 2014 08:45 AM

    If you fully engaged in this matter, bring International Inquary and economic sanction on SL.

    Diego Garcia Monday, 10 March 2014 08:25 AM

    Crusaders in action to capture land again with the New Testament "Human Rights".

    MrKasthuri Monday, 10 March 2014 08:23 AM

    Opss, didn't understand the word HUMAN RIGHTS till 2009 !

    MrKasthuri Monday, 10 March 2014 08:21 AM

    You mean the peaceful situation ?

    MrKasthuri Monday, 10 March 2014 08:19 AM

    Idiot might spell out that as brilliant as well !

    ind Monday, 10 March 2014 05:03 AM

    Same thing is repeating, Britain joins US is not a news!

    Selva Monday, 10 March 2014 07:45 AM

    He probably watched the latest war crimes video released by Chanel 4 yesterday

    Dukpath janatawagay Monday, 10 March 2014 07:21 AM

    Thanks UK and USA. you all are going to do a great job

    mohamed Monday, 10 March 2014 07:21 AM

    who betrayed who ?

    kamal Monday, 10 March 2014 07:14 AM

    Nothing to hide? Bring it on! Says MR?

    Sumangala Monday, 10 March 2014 06:59 AM

    Come- r- on.Bring your troops and Come-r- on we will take you on.

    ind Monday, 10 March 2014 06:40 AM

    Don't tell lies. Tamils live with Sinhalese without any issue. Only LTTE elements have so called issues.

    Moven Monday, 10 March 2014 06:37 AM

    Well done Britain!!

    Ey Monday, 10 March 2014 06:05 AM

    Mind your on business...................

    Hidden agenda? Monday, 10 March 2014 05:54 AM

    Britain, US, Montessori etc are helping Rajapakse score a resounding victory at the PC elections.

    Hiss Majesty Monday, 10 March 2014 05:47 AM

    While declining to subject itself to a similar process over alleged war excess, it is preaching sermons to us.

    Nimal Monday, 10 March 2014 05:45 AM

    Thank you for your support to bring human rights forever in an island.

    ram Monday, 10 March 2014 05:32 AM

    Thank you for all you understand our real situation in Sri Lanka you have to fight behalf of us –Ram Batticaloa.

    chandi Monday, 10 March 2014 05:25 AM

    why don't you propose the same in Afganistan & Iraq .

    ASD Monday, 10 March 2014 05:08 AM

    Any move in the UNHRC should not be of a hidden agenda. You dont have concern on neither sinhalese or tamils. You and other western countries are using innocent civilian blood for your own master purpose.


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