"We will not allow any international inquiry to look at allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity," said Sri Lanka’s foreign minister in an interview with the DailyMirror.lk.
Mangala Samaraweera added that the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ investigation into Sri Lanka (OISL) could be referred to the domestic process when its report was released in September at the United Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Mr Samaraweera pledged to set up the domestic inquiry by late July and said that it would look to investigate and bring those accountable to justice.
Speaking on Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, Mr Samaraweera said that their aim was to “ensure that Sri Lanka becomes one of the best places for Foreign Direct Investment in Asia.”
Commenting on his trips to capitals around the world, and noting that “foreign investment has been directed at Myanmar ever since the military generals endorsed the democratic agenda,” he said,
“The message I have been taken to every major capital in the world is that Sri Lanka is again in business.”
Referring to an invitation given to the US Secretary of State John Kerry to visit Sri Lanka, Mr Samaraweera, said,
“If he does agree it will be the first official visit of a US Secretary of State. IT will be a symbol fo Sir Lanka’s return to the international stage.”
“My ambition is to some how get the US President Barack Obama to visit Sri Lanka at one point or another.”
Concluding his comments on foreign relations, Mr Samaraweera said,
“By next year, you will see a flood of large scale investment form the west if we keep to our original roadmap.”
See also:
Tamils protest across North-East rejecting domestic probe into atrocities, call for international action (23 Mar 2015)
OISL report deferral ‘greatest success’ of Sirisena government – former minister (20 Mar 2015)
Thousands protest in Jaffna rejecting domestic probe, demanding release of UN report (24 Feb 2015)
NPC passes resolution asking UN to investigate genocide of Tamils by Sri Lanka state (10 Feb 2015)
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