Mangala says: SL will have a credible domestic mechanism on war crime allegations

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera told British Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond that the Sri Lankan government would have a credible domestic mechanism and would not subscribe to an international investigation on alleged war crimes.

He briefed Mr. Hammond on the initiatives of the new government towards post election development and the implementation of the 100-day programme

Explaining further, he said a judicial mechanism as well as a reconciliation programme on the lines of the South African Truth and Reconciliation model was envisaged. Mr. Samarawera had a fruitful discussion with Phillip Hammond, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on Monday afternoon. He briefed Mr. Hammond on the initiatives of the new government of Sri Lanka towards post election development and the implementation of the 100-day programme. He gave a detailed briefing on resettlement, reconciliation and the settlement of land issues in the North, East and elsewhere. He also apprised Mr. Hammond of the implementation of a domestic mechanism devised by the government to address the human rights and accountability issues.

Mr. Hammond welcomed the initiatives taken by the Sri Lanka government and assured Mr. Samaraweera that Britain was committed supporting Sri Lankan initiatives. However, he cautioned that the challenges were quite formidable. He added that the government should ensure that the words are put into action. Mr. Samaraweera pointed out that the environment in Sri Lanka was now more business-friendly and the country was ready for increased investments from the UK.

He stressed that Sri Lanka needed foreign direct investment rather than foreign aid. Mr. Hammond, in response, said that Britain was committed to enhancing economic and trade ties between the two countries.

He also told Mr. Samaraweera that the Lord Mayor of London would be visiting Sri Lanka with a business delegation in May.