Canada willing to assist Sri Lanka to set up a robust accountability mechanism with foreign judges

 Ottawa: Canada is willing to assist the Sri Lankan Government to set up a robust accountability mechanism to investigate and address serious violations of international law during the war, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

Issuing a statement on the seventh anniversary of the end of the war in Sri Lanka, the Canadian Prime Minister said he is encouraged by the Sri Lankan Government’s commitment to seek accountability.

“Today, we mark the anniversary of the end of the war in Sri Lanka in 2009. It is a time to honour, remember, and reflect on the victims of this 26-year war.”

“I am encouraged that the Sri Lankan government is committed to working with the United Nations Human Rights Council and the international community towards seeking accountability in their country,” Trudeau said, adding that, “a robust accountability mechanism must enlist the confidence of the victims of this war, through the meaningful engagement of foreign and Commonwealth investigators, prosecutors, and judges.”

The Prime Minister said Canada will continue to engage the international community in investigating and addressing serious violations of international law in Sri Lanka and around the world.

“We stand willing to assist the government of Sri Lanka in fulfilling this commitment,” he added.

Noting that Tamil-Canadians are, “an integral part of our country and have overcome much adversity”, Prime Minister Trudeau extended his deepest sympathy and support to Canadians of Tamil descent.

“Over the past seven years, I have met many victims of this war, and have been deeply moved by their heroic stories of trauma and loss. Much work lies ahead to heal the wounds of all those who have suffered, and to achieve long-term peace and reconciliation on the island,” he said.