US Senate passes a resolution on SL

3 March 2011 12:30 pm - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Dianne Silva

A resolution was passed by the US Senate calling on the Government of Sri Lanka to establish an independent international accountability mechanism to look into reports of war crimes, during the war. However the US Embassy in Colombo said that this was a non-binding resolution.

“S. Res 84 which was passed today in the U.S. Senate, is what is known as a simple resolution. Although it is non-binding, it does express the concerns of American lawmakers that the government of Sri Lanka provide a credible and fair mechanism of ensuring accountability for possible violations of human rights during the war,” a US Embassy official told the Daily Mirror today.

Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera told the Daily Mirror that the Government would look in the matter and make suitable changes. ”We will look into it and do what is suitable. We will consider our past actions, territorial integrity and see which areas we can improve on- if there has been a request made of us we will certainly look into it,” he said.

The Resolution was presented by Senator Robert Casey of Pennsylvania and passed unanimously by the Senate on Wednesday and called on the international community and the UN to establish such a mechanism. The resolution calls on “the Government of Sri Lanka, the international community, and the United Nations to establish an independent international accountability mechanism to look into reports of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other human rights violations committed by both sides during and after the war in Sri Lanka and to make recommendations regarding accountability.”

The resolution also calls on the government to allow for greater access for “humanitarian organizations, aid agencies, journalists, and international human rights groups.”

It further calls on the Us President to develop a “comprehensive policy towards Sri Lanka that reflects United States interests, including respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, economic interests, and security interests.”

Meanwhile the US has welcomed the report being prepared by Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. “The United States has welcomed the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and we’ve urged that the Commission apply best international practices so that there could be a credible investigation, and we look forward to the Commission submitting its report to President Rajapaksa in May. Obviously we hope those recommendations will be public”, US Assistant Secretary Robert Blake said earlier this week.

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Comments - 20

siripala Thursday, 03 March 2011 02:07 PM

Probably GOSL should pass a resolution to investigate war crimes by USA and britain in the past decades. If they took necessary actions then of course we also should go ahead with what they ask us to do.

sira Friday, 04 March 2011 05:59 AM

Well said

SUMI KUMARAN Thursday, 03 March 2011 04:28 PM

It’s called Bad Karma or Harvest time and its already started.

sg Thursday, 03 March 2011 04:09 PM

What is the logic regarding this resolution. Is America going to take all the other countries trusteeship in their hand.

citizen1 Thursday, 03 March 2011 04:17 PM

Exactly! Finger pointing won't help us resolve OUR issues. We need to be mature enough to take resposibility for our actions and behave like real patriots and not 'patriots' per say.

Lankanlion Thursday, 03 March 2011 04:07 PM

War crime committed by US or any other country will not justify the alleged war crime and genocide in Sri Lanka. UN should not waste any more time in identifying and punishing war criminals in Sri Lanka. In an ideal world they should be able to punish US war criminals too

Pissu Sudda Thursday, 03 March 2011 03:03 PM

GOSL should pass a resolution in SL parliament calling to probe war crimes in Vietnam, Iraq, Afganistan etc etc

Nalith Thursday, 03 March 2011 02:45 PM

Then how about Tamil diaspora who funded LTTE's terorist activities.

nizam Thursday, 03 March 2011 02:25 PM

It is sad to notice that most of the readers express their opinion in favour of war crime and genocide. Aren't we civilised enough?

Pradeep Thursday, 03 March 2011 02:12 PM

If the GOSL is genuine and they didn't make any violation against civilian then they no need to fear and Can allow any one to visit those area.

Wara Thursday, 03 March 2011 12:55 PM

Why do we care ? Do they ask if we pass any resolution to probe on war crimes done by US in Iraq and Afghanistan ??

cracko Thursday, 03 March 2011 02:06 PM

Yes Yes. It is coming. Criminals rarely get away.

Silva Thursday, 03 March 2011 01:48 PM

why do you worry about war crimes in other countries ??
if they did , we can do? like school children
first clear on we did war crimes or not!

Ezhilini Thursday, 03 March 2011 01:44 PM

No war crimes, No Panic.
Why the diplomats running here and there to stop an international inquiry?
Poor Sri LAnkans don t realize.. journeys are from their taxes.

Cobra Thursday, 03 March 2011 01:43 PM

They can huff and puff but will never bring the house down because it is built with armadillo hides!!!!!

sri.bala Thursday, 03 March 2011 01:34 PM

GOSL must be punished for there war crimes & genocide of Tamils

wiven Thursday, 03 March 2011 01:16 PM

we will pass a resolution asking US to look at crimes done in IRAQ....over a million killed!

MagodisThuma Thursday, 03 March 2011 12:52 PM

War crimes...Where...? Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan...? !.

namal Thursday, 03 March 2011 12:57 PM

Why do we care about what US does so much? don't waste your space.

Konde bendapu china Thursday, 03 March 2011 12:49 PM

They are trying very very hard on this,Yesterday Robert Blake,s comments link to this too.

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US Senate passes a resolution on SL

Comments - 20

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