President hopes to set up a domestic inquiry into alleged war crimes

November 17, 2024

President - Parliament - Prime Minister

President hopes to set up a domestic inquiry into alleged war crimes

March 12, 2015

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena says he hopes to set up a domestic inquiry into alleged war crimes committed during the country's civil war within a month. Maithripala Sirisena said that advice from the UN would be taken into account but there was no need for them to be involved in the inquiry.

He was speaking to the BBC's Sinhala service while on a visit to London.

The Sri Lankan army defeated the Tamil Tiger separatists in 2009, ending a 26-year long conflict. Both sides have been accused of atrocities.

President Sirisena said he expected the investigative committee tasked with examining alleged human rights abuses would work "efficiently, in a balanced, legal and impartial manner".

He said he was committed to reconciliation: "We expect to begin a new journey to promote reconciliation, cohabitation, brotherhood and friendship among the people of Sri Lanka, and to win over international opinion on these issues."