Sri Lanka army probing war crime allegations

Colombo: The Sri Lankan Army said on Monday it was still investigating allegations of atrocities during the war against the Tamil Tigers that ended in 2009.

According to army spokesperson Ruwan Wanigasooriya, a court of inquiry was on to record statements from witnesses and others, Xinhua reported.

A five-member probe was appointed in January based on the recommendations of a war commission known as the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

Sri Lanka's former attorney general Mohan Peiris said last week that the army court has had 50 sittings on allegations of rights abuses by soldiers during the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

(Continued)                                                 12

Sri Lanka army probing war crime allegations

Colombo: The Sri Lankan Army said on Monday it was still investigating allegations of atrocities during the war against the Tamil Tigers that ended in 2009.

Critics accuse the government of overlooking the wanton killings of civilians, mostly Tamils, during the end stages of the war that led to the destruction of the LTTE in May 2009. Colombo denies the charge.

Peiris, an adviser to the Sri Lankan cabinet, said the mandate of the army inquiry was wide and would cover some of the issues raised in a controversial British television video.

The British channel had released several videos of the war showing what it said were 'atrocities' by the Sri Lankan army.

If there was evidence to file a case, a court martial would be convened to try the alleged offenders, the army said.