UN panel prepares list

3 August 2010 03:00 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Jamila Najmuddin

The Panel appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to advise him on matters relating to Sri Lanka is compiling a list of Sri Lankan officials who will be approached in order to gather information to compile a report, UN sources told Daily Mirror online.

When asked if detained former Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka is among those likely to be approached, the UN source refused to commit to a response but added that his name ‘may be’ included after the General himself publicly announced that he is prepared to meet the Expert Panel.

The panel is yet to name the Sri Lankan officials who are likely to be approached and although the Sri Lankan government has already said that visas will not be given to the panel members to visit Sri Lanka to carry out their work, there is a possibility that the information will be collected over the telephone.

Ban Ki Moon appointed his three member panel in June to advise him on implementing the commitment on human rights accountability made in the Joint Statement issued by the Secretary-General and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa after the UN chief visited the island in May 2009.

Meanwhile speaking to Daily Mirror online from New York, the UN’s Associate Spokesperson Farhan Haqq said that the three member panel had already held its first meeting in New York and are expected to meet again early this month.

However Haqq said that while an exact date could not be given for the panel’s second meeting, it was during this meeting that the panel would formally begin its work and start the four month deadline.
“Although the panel already met once, it will begin its formal work when they meet for the second time in the early weeks of August,” Haqq said.

When questioned if the panel was an investigative body since most of its staff was from the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, Haqq reiterated that the three member panel was not an investigative body and was only an advisory panel. “Although some of their staff is from Navi Pillai’s office, this is not an investigative body and will not be conducting investigations in any way. This is clearly an advisory body,” Haqq said.

When further questioned if any Sri Lankan officials would be approached to gather information by the panel Haqq said, “We will allow the panel to decide how exactly their work is going to be conducted and will not make comments on behalf of the panel.” (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 17

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:55 PM

They should without fail include the name of our super patriotic minister Weerawansa!

PASEL Wednesday, 04 August 2010 06:23 AM

If you are nothing to worry why are you complaining about the panel?
Gov has over 10000 LTTE in custody bring them to the panel for investigation
Gov has first hand witness (KP) or war criminal from the LTTE side bring him to the panel for all arm smuggling into the country for war

Lanke Banda Wednesday, 04 August 2010 06:02 AM

Why bother some say the Report is already out before Investigations have begun.

Indikaw Wednesday, 04 August 2010 05:24 AM

Why he can't stand against him ??

Paul Fernando Wednesday, 04 August 2010 05:13 AM

So,why are you against it?

gunda Wednesday, 04 August 2010 04:28 AM

How many of you?

anura Tuesday, 03 August 2010 10:02 PM

'Advisory Panel' is just the beginning ...

Lankan Lion Tuesday, 03 August 2010 07:08 PM

If there is 'garbage' in our vicinity, we should dispose of it!

Vani Kumar, UK Tuesday, 03 August 2010 04:22 PM

"We will allow the panel to decide how exactly their work is going to be conducted". Thank you very much Mr Secretary General !!!!!!!.

Mans Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:07 PM

This man reminds me a SL comedian who says Banku Banku!

Ramana Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:35 PM

Thats a good move. Hope tamils will get justice.

SHAN Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:35 PM

SOME THING IS THERE THATS WHY ALL THE PEOPLE ARE OPPOSE TO THE PANNEL?

kalumnsu Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:28 PM

Dont let them to come and MR Rajapaksha should in public,the panel will not acceptable.

Geronimo Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:22 PM

The UN should not in anyway divulge the names of the Lankans whom they hope to get information from or else they would disappear one by one!

Thusi Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:14 PM

Mr White Flag....Here is the chance you are waiting for...Go and give your stories and destroy Sri Lanka's name.....

Tony Fernandez Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:08 PM

Will the truth be revealed------------NO
Why ?----------NO TIGERS WILL BE QUESTIONED

Nadarajah Sethurupan Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:08 PM

We are tamils against to Panel appointed by UN Secretary General.

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UN panel prepares list

Comments - 17

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