RajithaThe Government today insisted that there was no deadline to complete the accountability process on the war.
Cabinet spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that the Government is in talks with the United Nations with regards to the accountability process.
He reiterated that the process will be a domestic process and not a “hybrid process” as proposed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Senaratne however said that if required foreign technical assistance will be obtained in the domestic process.
“The consultation process is now underway. We will discuss with the UN and then appoint the respective committees to begin the process,” he said.
The British Government had said earlier it hopes to see Sri Lanka implement the resolution which it co-sponsored at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) last October, ahead of the June 2016 UNHRC session.
UK Minister of State Hugo Swire, who began a visit to Sri Lanka today, said that he has been encouraged and impressed by President Maithripala Sirisena’s Government, his commitment to tackle the legacy of Sri Lanka’s conflict – which has cast a shadow for too many years – and his keenness to restore democracy, underpinned by a stable, secure and integrated country.
During his visit Swire will welcome the Sri Lankan Government’s commitment to reconciliation and strengthening democracy since the end of its civil war, as well as progress made so far. His discussions will focus on further developing cooperation between the two countries and on UK support for Sri Lankan efforts to tackle the legacy of the conflict. (Colombo Gazette)