The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), headed by President Maithripala Sirisena, said that there would be no room for an international or hybrid mechanism for Sri Lanka’s investigations into war time atrocities.
Speaking at a party meeting, the SLFP Vice Chairman and Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister SB Dissanayake said that the government would never allow foreign judges work on a accountability mechanism, reports dailyFT.lk.
“The government will defiantly establish a domestic investigation mechanism with local judges and lawyers in order to hold an impartial inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity. Foreign experts will be invited if really needed. However final action would be taken according to constitution,” said the government minister.
Mr Dissanayake added that the inquiry would “prove Sri Lanka’s blamelessness, pay compensation for disabled and disturbed war heroes,” whilst strengthening “the country’s sovereignty.”