Published in The Colombo Gazette on Aug. 20 ::
UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon has urged Sri Lanka to assist the investigation on the war led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Ban ki-moon’s spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said that the Secretary‑General fully supports the High Commissioner for Human Rights and commends the leadership she’s demonstrated to assist Sri Lanka in advancing accountability and reconciliation.
“The Secretary‑General encourages Sri Lanka to cooperate with the inquiry led by the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, that was established by the Human Rights Council. He reiterates the importance for the Government and the people of Sri Lanka to constructively engage with the entire UN system as it would help the country make constant progress development, lasting peace and protection of Human Rights,” Dujarric said.
Meanwhile the BBC quoted outgoing UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay as saying her team would be able to use technology, like internet phone service Skype and satellite imagery, to carry out its investigation.
She referenced “highly credible” reports on abuses in Syria produced by her team despite not being allowed on the ground and said they would be able to do the same in Sri Lanka.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa had told the foreign correspondents yesterday that Sri Lanka will not accept the UN led investigation on Sri Lanka.
He accused the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay of being biased and also the UN Human Rights Council of having a political agenda.
Source: http://colombogazette.com/2014/08/20/ban-tells-lanka-to-help-un-led-probe/