Published 18:31 GMT

A draft resolution calling for reconciliation, accountability and respect for human rights in Sri Lanka, was leaked at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session today.

See resolution here.

“Facing our past is a vital component of ensuring a stable and peaceful future.”

“In Sri Lanka, where the High Commissioner has just issued her report, it is vital that the full truth of past events is made known and accountability be pursued, for this is the only way for stability.”

Over two hundred members of the Tamil Christian clergy from North-East including the Bishop of Mannar, wrote to members of the UN Human Rights Council today, demanding an international investigation into Sri Lanka’s war crimes and human rights violations.

"The proposed resolution effectively mutes the chorus of calls for an International Commission of Inquiry, and instead continues to give Sri Lanka time and space. The proposal appears to seek the High Commissioner’s assistance in undertaking an investigation, however, it does not give her the mandate, resources, or direction to investigate and make a legal finding of fact."

Opening of Human Rights Council 25th Session (UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe)

Calls for an independent investigation into crimes in Sri Lanka featured strongly on the first day of the 25th UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva.

The Indian government said today that the meeting between Manmohan Singh and Mahinda Rajapaksa may occur “only on the sidelines” of the BIMSTEC summit in Burma, and that it would not be an exclusive meeting; PTI quoted Union Minister V Narayanasamy.

DMK stalwart M Karunanidhi had slammed the Indian prime minister for agreeing to a meeting with Rajapaksa.

Sources in Burma also said that India was looking for much more progress on reconciliation on Sri Lanka.