SRI LANKA: Calls mount for government action on war inquiry
International human rights groups and, until recently, several governments, including the UK, US and Australia, widely criticized the lack of accountability in the report by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission Attention is shifting from forcing an international investigation to encouraging implementation of the recommendations because they are, at least, a starting point for reconciliation, say local activists.
The longstanding problem, said LST's Fernando, was that the Sri Lankan government had steadfastly refused to cooperate with any international mechanism to move past war.
'The report offers an opportunity to move forward. Now it is up to the government to show it is committed to do that,' said Perera.
But Fernando was pessimistic.
'Looking at the scorecard after the LLRC report is not encouraging - there have been at least 22 abductions reported after the LLRC report , bodies are found in Colombo, peaceful campaigns in the north were obstructed in December and January , a protester was killed and others injured even last week in Chilaw ,' he said.