UNSG's panel of experts:

Govt firm on its position against proposed move

Rafik JALALDEEN

The Government is firm on its position against the proposed move by UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon to appoint a panel of experts to advice him on accountability issues relating to Sri Lanka. It is an infringement on the sovereignty of an independent member state, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said.

Such issues can be dealt according to the domestic mechanism and the judiciary like appointing a commission of inquiry to undertake such inquiries, he added.

Addressing the media yesterday Minister Bogollagama said to appoint a Panel of Experts to advice the UN Secretary General on accountability issues, the country is not on the agenda of either the Security Council or the General Assembly or its subsidiary body, the Human Rights Council. He said recognizing these clear violations, the Chair of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non Aligned Movement on behalf of the 118 member NAM unequivocally expressed their concern on the announced intention to appoint a Panel of Experts by the UN Secretary General to advice him on accountability issues related to Sri Lanka.

The Minister has regretted Channel 4's to continuing partial reports on events related to Sri Lanka. "Having found common cause with those diaspora elements of the LTTE and others inimical to Sri Lanka's national interests," he added.