US congressman, Howard Berman, of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, urged Sri Lanka to "allow for an independent international mechanism to investigate alleged war crimes and violations of international human rights law", in order to ensure accountability.
In a statement made Friday, Berman said,
“I welcome the public release of the report of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), and I urge the Government of Sri Lanka to expeditiously implement the Commission’s recommendations on a wide range of issues, including on devolution of power, language policy, rule of law and governance, and media freedom,”
“Such steps would help foster reconciliation and strengthen democracy in Sri Lanka.”
“At the same time, I remain concerned that credible allegations against the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE, as described by the UN Panel of Experts report, continue to go uninvestigated, and I call upon the Sri Lankan government to allow for an independent international mechanism to investigate alleged war crimes and violations of international human rights law during the nearly 30 year conflict,”
“Only a credible investigation and process that holds those guilty accountable for their crimes can ensure that reconciliation in Sri Lanka is long lasting “
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