Commission begins probe into Sri Lanka ethnic conflict
By DPA, IANSWednesday, August 11, 2010
COLOMBO - A commission began probing the final eight years of Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict Wednesday amidst skepticism whether it would investigate allegations of war crimes.
Former attorney general C.R de Silva presided over the first meeting of the eight-member panel, which was appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The commission has been given six months to complete the probe, which covers the period during which a Norwegian-backed cease-fire with Tamil rebels was in operation from 2002 to 2006.
The UN has been calling for a probe into allegations of human rights abuses which mainly took place during the final stages of the conflict before it was brought to an end in May 2009.
The Sri Lankan government has called the UN not to go ahead with its own investigation, but the world body has already appointed a panel to advise Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the issue.
Local and international rights groups have expressed doubts about whether the government-appointed commission will look into allegations against the armed forces.
The UN estimates that 7,500 civilians were killed in the final stages of the battle in the northern part of the country, but the government has denied this is the case.
