In shift, US backs Sri Lanka’s own war crimes probe

US was at the forefront in adopting a total of three resolutions at the UN human rights session on Sri Lanka and today’s announcement marks a complete shift in US’ stance.

The Tamil minority and rights groups had raised concerns on a local mechanism, saying that it will not be independent and the findings may be used for a cover up.

He added that discussions have been taken place between the President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe regarding the number of ministerial portfolios.

Underlining the real goal of the coalition, SLFP secretary Dissanayake said: “The President [Sirisena] emphasised that a national unity government was necessary at this juncture to overcome worldwide and economic challenges facing the country”. The hitch is, the Central Committee has little hold over the actual party.

What is most important to us is the message that the people of Sri Lanka have sent.

A day after the 66-year-old incumbent premier thwarted ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s bid to stage a political comeback amid a surge in support for his reform-driven mandate, Wickremesinghe struck a reconciliatory note and called all parties to contribute to nation-building. That carries many meanings and threats. But will it come true?

He said parliament approval will be sought to decide the size of the cabinet as according to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution the cabinet is limited to 30 members except in the case of a national government. Nor can he make the Rajapaksa-era corruption and crimes a priority anymore.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which has been insisting on an worldwide investigation, said after meeting Biswal and Malinowski, that it will accept a domestic investigation if it has global participation.

The assistant secretary said the US would propose a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council next month and hoped that Sri Lanka would collaborate. Five of them, including a young woman, were arrested during the last days of this election.

In its third consecutive resolution moved in March 2014, the United States pushed for an global war crimes investigation.

“We discussed steps taken by the government to promote reconciliation and strengthen the rule of law, this is part of the government’s overall objective of ensuring good governance, respect for human rights and strengthening our economy”, he said.