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Pillay's invitation cannot be a fact finding mission - Mohan Peiris

Confirming that the UN High Commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay has been invited to Sri Lanka to "observe its post-war development and reconciliation efforts", former attorney general, Mohan Peiris, asserted that "he government has not extended any invitation to any fact finding mission".

According to the official website of the Ministry of Defence (see here), Peiris said,

"The government of Sri Lanka has extended an invitation to United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Navaneethan Pillay to visit Sri Lanka to observe its post-war development and reconciliation efforts. The government has not extended any invitation to any fact finding mission,"

"The government had extended this invitation to Pillay last year. It has no bearing whatsoever with the US resolution,"

"If Mrs Pillay sends these officers for her logistical support and for her security concerns, it could be taken into consideration."

"If they wish to offer technical assistance they can do so in consultation and with the concurrence of the government,"

"Nobody can send teams to investigate affairs of another country for it interferes with that country's sovereignty,"

"But if she is going to be the judge of Sri Lanka's human rights situation, one must not forget that she is also a complainant against Sri Lanka's human rights situation,"

"How can a complainant be allowed to be the judge of the same complaint?"

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