Former AG says:

HR complaints to LLRC under probe

Justice to be meted out in accordance with SL’s legal code:

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

All complaints on Human Rights violations made to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) are being investigated for action.

Former Attorney General and a member of the Sri Lanka delegation to the UNHRC Mohan Peiris told the Daily News yesterday the allegations on Human Rights violations placed before the LLRC are under investigation in accordance with Sri Lanka’s legal code.

Peiris said so when asked about accusations levelled against Sri Lanka by various NGOs and the UNHRC regarding the country’s Human Rights record.

“The NGOs claim that there are cases of human rights violations but they say so without substantial material to support their claims inasmuch to justify a charge,” he said. “On the contrary, the office bearers of these NGOs, do not seem to go to police stations or to Sri Lankan courts to seek redress for human rights violation cases to mete out justice to the victims,” he pointed out.

“They can got go to District Courts, the Supreme Court or any court of their their choice with their human right cases. If police do not support their efforts as they sometimes say on occasions when they could not find substantial material to support their claims of a case, they can seek assistance of private law firms .” “They can even petition the Army Chief,” he said.

Asked how some NGOs have gone to the extent of making allegations against the government in international forums under the circumstances,Peiris said, they do so because they are paid by these establishments. “A country cannot take action upon mere hearsay,” he explained. “The NGOs have not filed any human right violation cases against Security Forces so far.”

“There are some cases filed by individuals with the LLRC with material to substantiate charges. Such cases are being dealt with under the law.” Peiris said , it has been only three months since the release of the LLRC report, and more time and space will be required to deal with all cases of alleged violations.