Sri Lankan president Rajapakse has announced his decision to appoint an independent international commission of inquiry to go into the question of abductions killings and other acts of violence. He has also revealed that his government will invite internationally reputed judges, human rights activists and representatives of civil societies to be members of the Commission of Inquiry.

He has added that the commission will have full powers to inquire into all acts of violence. Police and security forces have been requested to give their full of co-operation to the commission. The President has explained that it has become necessary to appoint this commission in view of the efforts from several quarters to bring discredit to the government, security forces and the police by making allegations against them.

There have been pressures by the international community on the government to contain violence against NGOs, media men, traders and Catholic Priests in Sri Lanka. It is relevant to note that President has made this announcement in the aftermath of his visit to England.

The accusation by the outgoing SLMM Chief that the security forces are accountable to the killings of NGO employees in Muthur and the strong denial by the government have led to a controversy. Then there is the announcement by UN agencies that they were going to leave the Island in view of the threats to the lives of their employees.

It is relevant to note that the Anglican Bishop of Colombo recently issued a statement that in view of the gun culture prevailing in the country, there is no atmosphere to conduct a free and fair trial within the island.

In the above circumstances, President Rajapakse is compelled to invite an International Commission of Inquiry. It is obvious the government is not interested in finding out the truth. In fact the propaganda machinery of the government is activated to suppress and distort the truth. We doubt whether necessary cooperation will be extended to the International Commission of Inquiry.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed