“(1) Be unequivocal and unwavering in its support for an independent, international inquiry; (2) Make every effort to secure widespread support for a robust resolution; and (3) Ensure an international inquiry commences swiftly.”

 

The Sri Lankan state's continuing human rights violations post-conflict provided "credible allegations of crimes against humanity against the Tamil population in the Northern Province", concludes a damning 90-page report by Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice.

The Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, in a brief discussion on reconciliation between Sinhala and Tamil communities on the island of Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, outlined that India could not confirm its position on the draft UNHRC resolution tabled against Sri Lanka.

A mosque in the Colombo suburb of Dehiwala has been closed after the local magistrates issued a court order.

Police had filed a case against the mosque in February, saying it was operating illegally, an accusation mosque authorities denied.

The MP for Hambantota Namal Rajapaksa has accused western countries of joining “LTTE terrorists” to create secessionism and to make Sri Lanka “their centre in South Asia”.

In a joint memorandum released today, Sri Lankan civil society groups stressed that "there is no alternative but the establishment of an international mechanism for inquiry into human rights abuses, accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity", outlining the on-going culture of impunity, lack of rule of law, extensive human rights violations and authoritarianism.

"In past years we have learned that rigorous and systematic fact finding can play a critical role in helping countries heal wounds remaining from periods of conflict. Without such a process, grievances go unaddressed and impunity is allowed to triumph, creating a climate in which new abuses can occur."