Eminent persons will only assist Commission - Justice Udalagama

COLOMBO: The investigations and inquiries into several incidents amounting to serious violations of Human Rights will be conducted only by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate Violations of Human Rights and the role of the International Eminent Group of Persons would be to observe the functions of the Commission, its Chairman Justice N.K. Udalagama said yesterday.

The mandate of the International observers does not empower them to conduct investigations or inquiries into the incidents, he said.

He said: “President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed eminent persons of very high standing in Sri Lanka to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate Violations of Human Rights in which the Chairman is Justice N.K. Udalagama.

This Commission will investigate and inquire into alleged serious violations of human rights since August 1, 2005. In the Warrant issued to the eight Members, it is stated by the President that the Commission shall inquire into 15 incidents.

The Commission of Inquiry will conduct investigations and inquiries in a manner that would enable a panel of non-Sri Lankan eminent persons of international repute appointed by the President referred to as the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons with Justice P.N. Bhagawati, former Chief Justice of India as Chairman to efficaciously observe such investigations and inquiries of the Commission of Inquiry to satisfy parties that investigation and inquiries by the Commission are in accordance with international standards.

These international eminent persons were invited or an inaugural meeting by the Members of the Presidential Commission to decide on methodologies and future programme of work of the Commission.

Eminent persons from 11 countries participated with their assistants at this Meeting.

The Chairman mentioned the role of the Commission of Inquiry and the International Eminent Group of Persons in his speech as follows: “The Commission is required to in terms of the Presidential Warrant to execute its mandate in accordance with the Sri Lankan law, the International Eminent Group of Persons is required to observe the investigations and inquiries conducted by the Commission, with the view to satisfying that the investigation and inquiries are being conducted in accordance with international norms and standards.

The International Group of Eminent Persons were appointed not due to any doubts raised about the Commission of Inquiry.”