Panel begins

17 September 2010 05:04 am

The panel appointed by UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon to advice him on matters relating to Sri Lanka has formally begun work after meeting the UN Chief yesterday, the UN announced today.

According to the UN the Secretary-General held his first meeting yesterday with the Panel of Experts established to advise him on the issue of accountability with regard to alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law during the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka.

The UN noted that the meeting marks the formal commencement of the Panel's four-month mandate after which it will submit a report to the UN the Secretary-General.

The UN said that the Secretary-General is pleased that the Panel is fully underway and looks forward to receiving its advice. The Secretary-General is committed through his focus on this issue to contribute to lasting peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, the UN said.

Sri Lanka has strongly objected to the panel going ahead with its meeting and the issue is to be raised between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon next week, government sources had told Daily Mirror online yesterday. (Daily Mirror online)