Warning that the resolution on Sri Lanka passed by the UN Human Rights Council could not halt the on-going violations faced by the Tamil people today, the leader of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam said they do nonetheless encourage and welcome Tamil people to assist in the inquiry, through providing evidence and witness testimonies.
Stating that the resolution passed was against the Rajapaksa government, not the Sri Lankan state, Mr. Ponnambalam said in an interview with BBC Tamil, that being against the Rajapaksa regime, did not automatically translate into being beneficial to the Tamil people.
"If you compare the resolution to what the Tamil people are facing today, there is no connection," he said.
"If the Ms. Navineetham Pillay was to go beyond the mandate of human rights and investigate violations of international humanitarian law that would be welcome however," said Mr. Ponnambalam.
Calling on the High Commissioner and her office to make clear the mandate and nature of the investigation, Mr. Ponnambalam stressed that the TNPF, despite its criticisms, would be willing to support investigation.
"We have not obstructed our people from giving evidence and testimonies to the investigation, quite the reverse, we have encouraged our people to take part, and deliver evidence and testimonies," he said.
"We will welcome them taking part."
Stating that the resolution passed was against the Rajapaksa government, not the Sri Lankan state, Mr. Ponnambalam said in an interview with BBC Tamil, that being against the Rajapaksa regime, did not automatically translate into being beneficial to the Tamil people.
"If you compare the resolution to what the Tamil people are facing today, there is no connection," he said.
"We are in a situation where this resolution cannot halt or bring about a change in any of the violations continuing to take place today."Stating that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, fall within the remit of international humanitarian law, not human rights, Mr. Ponnambalam reiterated the limitations of the Human Rights Council and the constrained mandate given to the Ms. Navi Pillay to only investigate human rights violations.
"If the Ms. Navineetham Pillay was to go beyond the mandate of human rights and investigate violations of international humanitarian law that would be welcome however," said Mr. Ponnambalam.
Calling on the High Commissioner and her office to make clear the mandate and nature of the investigation, Mr. Ponnambalam stressed that the TNPF, despite its criticisms, would be willing to support investigation.
"We have not obstructed our people from giving evidence and testimonies to the investigation, quite the reverse, we have encouraged our people to take part, and deliver evidence and testimonies," he said.
"We will welcome them taking part."