By Saman Indrajith
A credible internal investigation into the last phase of North East conflict would help regain the lost respect and dignity of the Sri Lankan security forces, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera told Parliament yesterday.
The minister said so responding to a series of questions raised by Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva on previous day. Opposition Leader De Silva demanded to know from the government in parliament whether the Minister of Foreign Affairs, had, in a letter to the Head of the United Nations Human Rights Council, promised that Government of Sri Lanka would bring those accused of alleged war crimes before justice.
The minister said that the government was negotiating with relevant authorities to pave way for the members of the Sri Lankan security forces to join as members of UN peace keeping forces. An investigation would be held as per a promise made during the last presidential election campaign under 100-day programme and not because of a promise made to any international party.
Minister Samaraweera admitted that he had written to the High Commissioner of UNHRC and tabled a copy of the letter. "It is not a shame to investigate such matter as any army can make mistakes as they are also human beings. There are no 100% perfect individuals in this world. We are in the process of discussing what mechanism we should adopt to probe these allegations and that cannot be done overnight. It will take some time."
Drom : The Island - http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=119968
