SL rejects Pillay’s call for intern’l inquiry

The government has sent its response to the report by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay, rejecting her call for an international inquiry into the allegations of human rights violations and accountability issues during the latter part of the war, Daily Mirror learns.

Ms. Pillay made available a copy of her report based on her fact-finding mission here last year, to the government recently. She among others, called for an international inquiry. Accordingly, the government has sent its detailed response, particularly rejecting the call for an international inquiry. It has also asked for more time and space to address the issues in the post-war period. The report has been sent to the UNHRC through Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in Geneva, Ravinatha Ariyasinghe.

The government’s delegation led by External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris will leave for Geneva on March 1 to attend the sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which begins on March 3.  The delegation will include Monitoring MP of the Ministry Sajin Vas Gunawardane, Presidential Secretary Lalith   Weeratunga, Plantation Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe and Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The United States (US) has already announced that it will move yet another resolution on Sri Lanka. A spokesman for the US embassy said the resolution would be based on some aspects of Ms. Pillay’s report, but not solely on it. It will be put to a vote on March 28. (Kelum Bandara)