An international independent investigation into allegations of human rights violations in Sri Lanka is necessary for national unity, the Tamil National Alliance informed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay.

Representatives from Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party met the visiting UN human rights chief for an extensive discussion in Colombo today (30), during which they had briefed her on the present political situation in the country and various other issues.
 
Navi Pillay was informed of the lack action taken by the Sri Lankan government to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran told Ada Derana.

The TNA had also stated that the commissions appointed within the country by the government do not operate properly and referred to the investigations into the murder of aid workers in Muttur and students in Trincomalee as examples for this.

The government has not taken adequate action regarding missing persons while no steps have been taken still to release political prisoners, the TNA said.

 The government has also failed to conduct a credible investigation into the allegations of war crimes committed during the final stages of the war, the TNA said, therefore emphasizing that a international probe is necessary for the fulfillment of reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

Premachandran stated that they also briefed the High Commissioner regarding illegal land grabbing taking place in the North and the delay in resettling IDPs.

Navi Pillay in response had stated that she got a good grasp of the prevailing situation in the North during her tour of the war-torn province and that her findings will be submitted via a temporary report to the UNHRC session in September.

Pillay stated that she intends to submit the full detailed report on the tour of the Northern Province to the UN Human Rights Council session in March next year and also brief the UN Department of Political Affairs regarding the visit, the MP said.

The TNA also requested the High Commissioner to establish a UN Human Rights office in Sri Lanka, pointing out that it is essential for protecting the rights of the country’s minorities.

Premachandran also stated that, during the talks, they brought up the issue of reoccurring attacks on places of religious worship, such as the recent incidents in Granspass and Weliweriya.