International body to probe abductions, killings - President

COLOMBO: The Government will invite an international independent commission to probe abductions, disappearances and extra-judicial killings in all areas in the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the Daily News.

Queried on the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) report which accused the Security Forces for the killing of 17 local NGO workers in Muttur last month, President Rajapaksa said the Government would invite internationally reputed judges, human rights activists and civil society representatives to form the independent commission.

The commission will have full powers to investigate all such incidents and the Security Forces and the Police have been requested to extend their fullest cooperation.

The President said such a commission was essential in the light of attempts being made in various quarters to discredit the Government, Security Forces and the Police.

The Government has categorically denied the SLMM charge that the Security Forces should be held responsible for the killing of the 17 local workers of the French NGO.

It has already invited Australian forensic experts to conduct investigations on the Muttur killings. The Security Forces and the Police have been instructed to be alert on this issue.

President Rajapaksa has campaigned for the better enforcement of human rights in Sri Lanka over the years and appointed a separate Minister for the subject.