We are for a domestic inquiry with local experts: Champika

Megapolis and Western Province Development Minister Champika Ranawaka said today that allegations of war crimes should be investigated under the existing judicial system by local experts in a manner that would ensure the dignity of the armed forces and those found guilty punished.

He told a news conference that there should be a national consensus on this matter and that a final decision should be taken up by parliament while assuring compromise and unity.

“An investigation should be launched on the basis that the aggressor is the LTTE. Investigations should be done by local experts. Cases should be taken up under the existing judiciary system and punish those found guilty while ensuring the dignity and reputation of the security forces," the minister said


Mr. Ranawaka said they were completely opposed to a UNHRC-proposed hybrid court where the cases would take up according to the international judicial system beyond the local legal system.

“There are several hybrid mechanisms where cases can be taken up. One is to take the cases within the international judicial system beyond the local legal system while the second is to take up the cases under the Sri Lankan judicial system by the foreign experts and the third is to seek foreign advice. We are against any mechanism under the international judicial system,” he said.

The said whatever the mechanism, the inquiry should be carried out under the Sri Lankan constitution and the legal system.

The minister said there would be no problem in seeking foreign expertise but their impartiality should be considered when doing so.

“Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has done that through the appointment of foreign experts to the Maxwell Paranagama Commission," he said.

Mr. Ranawaka said it was Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who introduced this hybrid mechanism for the first time in Sri Lanka through the appointment of foreign experts to the Maxwell Paranagama commission.

The minister the contents of the UN report would have no legal bearing on Sri Lanka and that such reports had been released on previous occasions as well. (Ajith Siriwardana)