International body to investigate war-crimes is required – Shivajilingam
September 24, 2017 10:26 pm
Northern Provincial Council member M.K.Shivajilingam stated that the proclamations made by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka condemning several Sri Lankan military persons of committing war-crimes must be acted upon immediately.
He further stated that a separate international judicial body should be established to investigate alleged war crimes during the tenure of Field Marshal Fonseka as soon as possible.
Speaking to the Geneva Human Rights Watch, M.K.Shivajilingam stated that the Human Rights Watch is yet to respond to the proposals submitted to the Council by the Sri Lankan government, in September 2015. It was also mentioned that the Tamil community of Sri Lanka is patiently waiting for an international body to launch an investigation into the deprivation of Human Rights during the civil war.
The Northern Provincial Councilor focused on the statements made by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who stated that he has compelling evidence against former Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya and 30 other military individuals who allegedly committed war-crimes during the war.
He further expressed his disapproval over the stance taken by President Maithripala Sirisena who declared that the government will safeguard war heroes and will not allow any international body to conduct inquiries.
In his closing remarks, M.K.Shivajilingam stressed that an international judicial body needs to be established to investigate the heinous acts committed during the war, to do justice to the Tamil community of Sri Lanka.