SL says ‘nothing to hide’ as it counts war dead

28 November 2013 11:25 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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Sri Lanka on Thursday said it had “nothing to hide” as it began compiling a death toll from its war against Tamil separatists, AFP reported today.

“The government has nothing to hide,” Public Administration Ministry Secretary P.B. Abeykoon told a press conference on Thursday. “A lot of people have come out with various accusations with their own figures. We will come out with the real facts,” he added.

The president announced the start of the census on his website in a brief statement on Wednesday evening. The statement said the department of census and statistics would conduct what it called an “island-wide census to assess the loss of human life and damage to property”, adding that work would begin on 28 November, the AFP said

Asked about the claims of 40,000 civilian deaths, Abeykoon said the census showed the government’s determination to seek the truth. “Why should we go for a census if we have anything to hide? We are trying to get a clear picture for ourselves,” he said.

D.C.A. Gunawardena, the head of the census department, told reporters that his teams would try to determine the numbers of dead, missing, or maimed by the conflict as well as the extent of property damage. “The public will be asked to substantiate the claims of deaths, missing and property damage,” he said at the launch alongside Abeykoon.

Comments - 6

Saskia Thursday, 28 November 2013 11:45 AM

Nothing to hide? Then why are you denying to do an investigation? There are evidences that are found by UN panel of experts. So, this is enough to start an investigation though?

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ajan Thursday, 28 November 2013 11:45 AM

Yes nothing to hide bs of already hide all the evidence in north.
another big drama by Sri lanka.

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Reader Thursday, 28 November 2013 12:17 PM

Because no country allows international investigations into local matters? Else where are the international probes against iraq war?

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Jayanthi Thursday, 28 November 2013 12:30 PM

When was UN panel of experts held the preliminary inquiry? They were not present in Sri Lanka?

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MrKasthuri Thursday, 28 November 2013 12:35 PM

Why do we need an external inquiry since we can sail a credible inquiry mechanism.

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Srilankan Saturday, 30 November 2013 01:52 PM

Hello Saskia, lets have an investigation on Terrorist subprimo Prbakaran's killing too. Lets have an investigation on child proscription by the so called subprimo. Lets have an investigation on how many innocent people were killied or mimed by LTTE . Huh...you try to white wash this blood thirsty terrorist by trying to put the blame on the govt. who did what has to be done. Yes there is collateral damage like any other war but that is a war has to happen to do the necessary surgery. Unless you change your attitude you die as a dejected person for sure.

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