Britain renews call for Sri Lanka war probe

Sri Lankamust hold an independent probe into possible human rights violations during its civil war, Britain said Thursday amid President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to the country.

Britain believes Colombo “must develop a credible and independent process to look into reports of possible violations of international humanitarian law by both sides during the conflict in Sri Lanka,” a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

She added: “We have made this clear to the government of Sri Lanka, most recently when the Foreign Secretary met the Sri Lankan foreign minister in October.”

Sri Lanka foreign minister Gamini Lakshman Peiris dismissed the calls for an investigation during a news conference in London on Thursday.

“We have put in place what we consider to be the best, most effective and most pragmatic mechanism,” the minister claimed.

British Defence Secretary Liam Fox held a private meeting with Rajapakse but few details emerged despite questions being raised in parliament.

Lawmaker Keith Vaz, a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils, an informal cross-party body studying Tamil affairs, called for a full statement on the meeting in the light of international pressure to investigate possible war crimes.

George Young, the leader of the house, said Foreign Office question time on December 14 might be a chance to raise the matter, adding: “It was indeed a private meeting and I can’t guarantee any statements.” AFP reports.