Govt. will not assist UN probe: Keheliya

Tuesday, 3 June 2014 01:43 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government says it will not assist the UN investigation into alleged war crimes abuses committed during the war in Sri Lanka. Government spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a press conference on Sunday that the Government position has been that it does not accept the US resolution under which the investigation on Sri Lanka was approved. Rambukwella said that since the resolution has been rejected there is no question of any process affiliated to that being assisted. He also said the Ministry of External Affairs will decide on the visas to the members of the commission which will be appointed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay to conduct the probe on Sri Lanka.

There have been reports that former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is to be appointed as part of the investigations team. Rambukwella said that Annan will be given a visa if he visits Sri Lanka as a tourist but if he comes to investigate the war then the External Affairs Ministry will decide on the visa. The Minister added that police powers will not be devolved to the provinces even if the 13th Amendment is fully implemented, days after new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa to fully implement 13A and go beyond its provisions to roll out a final political devolution package for the Tamil people. Minister Rambukwella said it was the Cabinet that will take the final decision on the implementation of the 13th Amendment. However he says the Government has already decided that police powers will not be devolved to the provinces and that those powers will remain with the central Government. (Colombo Gazette)