US backs domestic inquiry into war crimes

Al Jazeera reports that US Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asian affairs Nisha Biswal announced the support of a domestic inquiry into Sri Lanka’s war crimes in 2009.

A resolution will be announced at the U.N. human rights session in September.

Biswal said, the U.S. now supports the local investigation that President Sirisena promised.

Biswal said, “We are incredibly proud of the journey that is being undertaken here; the story that is unfolding in this great country is one that stands as a testament to the rest of the world.”

Tom Malinowski, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour said the US came to this decision in light of Sri Lanka’s new government.

Relations between the U.S. and Sri Lanka were strained under Rajapaksa’s government that oversaw the defeat of the LTTE.

“A hallmark of this government's approach to these difficult issues has been that it has defended the interests of Sri Lanka without being defensive, without denying painful facts and trying to discredit critics,” he said.

Since 2012, the United States has sponsored three resolutions — all adopted — demanding accountability from Sri Lanka’s government.

Most Human Rights groups and victims want an international inquiry as the military officers responsible for war crimes still operate in the North and East and have a considerable amount of power.

Tamil Naational Alliance MP M .A. Sumanthiran told the Colombo Mirror his party wanted an international inquiry to take place.

The TNA is concerned about “the immediate release of political prisoners, return of lands and steps to be taken to speedily address the cases of disappearances” he said.

Biswal said the domestic inquiry would be a collaborative effort that involves the government, the UN and other key stake holders.

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