The findings of a probe into Sri Lanka’s alleged war crimes towards the end of the country’s civil war with the LTTE are of the “most serious nature”, the UN rights chief said here on Monday even as Colombo declared it would set up a war reparations office and a truth commission.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad Al Hussein said the report on the UNHRC’s investigation would be released on September 16 along with his recommendations, while speaking at the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which got underway here. “Six years ago we were confronted with serious violations and loss of civilian life in the last month of Sri Lanka’s long civil war,” he said.
Zeid said the UNHRC was deeply engaged in the need for accountability as a necessary step towards reconciliation in Sri Lanka. “On Wednesday, I will release the report of the comprehensive investigation as mandated by UNHRC resolution of March 2014. Its findings are of the most serious nature,” the UNHRC chief said.