UN Panel could only visit LLRC

*No investigations will be allowed

*Even Tamil Diaspora could meet LLRC

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The Government will allow the UN Secretary General’s panel to visit the country and meet only the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Minister Rambukwella addressing the weekly Cabinet briefing yesterday said that, the Government would grant visas to the panel members only to go before the LLRC which was appointed by the Government on the directive of the President. However, being an independent and sovereign country, the government will not allow the UN panel to conduct any investigations of their own.

Minister Rambukwella said the Government initially objected to the Panel’s visit to Sri Lanka, as it was to conduct an inquiry. However, the government has decided to grant visas to the Panel since it has been stated that the members will only meet the LLRC. Responding to a journalist the Minister noted that the government’s stance remains unchanged that the panel has no rights to conduct any inquiry in the country.

The government is dealing only with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon but not with the panel. Therefore, the government will not let the UN panel to probe allegations of war crimes.

“The Government will not allow the panel to carry out its investigations in Sri Lanka. What we have done now is to allow the panel to be present at the LLRC. Any one can give evidence to the LLRC since the LLRC sessions are open to everyone,” the Minister added.

The Minister said that the government welcomes anyone who wishes to give evidence at the LLRC. Even the Tamil Diaspora has been requested to give evidence at the commission. Accepting or rejecting of such evidence is a matter for the LLRC.

When the Minister was asked whether the UN panel has applied for government approval to visit the country, the Minister said that the panel has not yet applied officially.