External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris today condemned the comments made by the US State Department on the Lessons Leant and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report branding it ‘unjust’.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland had voiced concern over the commission’s report and urged the Lankan government to address human rights allegations more fully.

“………… we have concerns that the report does not fully address all the allegations of serious human rights violations that occurred in the final phase of the conflict,” she had told reporters.

Minister Peiris demanded as to why focus has been drawn only to the closing stages, of a nearly three decade long war, and not to the other stages of the war.

Accompanying President Rajapakse at a meeting with the print and electronic media heads today morning at Temple Trees, he said “It is an unjust statement and comment.”

TNA’s call for international mechanism

On the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) pronouncing that LLRC report “categorically fails to effectively and meaningfully deal with issues of accountability,” Professor Peiris stated that it was regrettable that TNA leader R. Sampanthan, as a prominent politician in the country would make such a statement.

The TNA on Monday (19) called upon the international community to establish a “mechanism for accountability” to ensure that those responsible for the alleged crimes are held accountable.

The External Affairs Minister stated that calling for an international mechanism, while the opportunity exist for the matter to be discussed internally, would only increase external interference within the country.