This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31844796
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Sri Lanka president Sirisena pledges war crimes inquiry | Sri Lanka president Sirisena pledges war crimes inquiry |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Sri Lankan president says he hopes to set up a domestic inquiry into alleged war crimes committed during the country's civil war within a month. | The Sri Lankan president says he hopes to set up a domestic inquiry into alleged war crimes committed during the country's civil war within a month. |
Maithripala Sirisena said UN investigators would not be involved, despite international pressure. | Maithripala Sirisena said UN investigators would not be involved, despite international pressure. |
He was speaking to the BBC's Sinhala service while on a visit to London. | He was speaking to the BBC's Sinhala service while on a visit to London. |
The Sri Lankan army defeated the Tamil Tiger separatists in 2009, ending a 26-year long conflict. Both sides have been accused of atrocities. | The Sri Lankan army defeated the Tamil Tiger separatists in 2009, ending a 26-year long conflict. Both sides have been accused of atrocities. |
Mr Sirisena said he expected the investigative committee tasked with examining alleged human rights abuses would work "efficiently, in a balanced, legal and impartial manner". | Mr Sirisena said he expected the investigative committee tasked with examining alleged human rights abuses would work "efficiently, in a balanced, legal and impartial manner". |
He told BBC Sinhala's Saroj Pathirana that advice from the UN would be taken into account but there was no need for them to be involved in the inquiry. | He told BBC Sinhala's Saroj Pathirana that advice from the UN would be taken into account but there was no need for them to be involved in the inquiry. |
The UN agreed last month to delay its long-awaited report into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, saying the new government was more willing to co-operate than the previous administration. | The UN agreed last month to delay its long-awaited report into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, saying the new government was more willing to co-operate than the previous administration. |
Mr Sirisena came to power in January, inflicting a surprise defeat on his one-time ally, Mahinda Rajapaksa. | Mr Sirisena came to power in January, inflicting a surprise defeat on his one-time ally, Mahinda Rajapaksa. |
In his interview, he echoed allegations that Mr Rajapaksa tried to mount a coup after his loss but was thwarted by the election commissioner and police chief. | In his interview, he echoed allegations that Mr Rajapaksa tried to mount a coup after his loss but was thwarted by the election commissioner and police chief. |
Mr Sirisena received large numbers of votes from Tamils and Muslims in the poll, the country's two largest minorities. | Mr Sirisena received large numbers of votes from Tamils and Muslims in the poll, the country's two largest minorities. |
He said he was committed to reconciliation: "We expect to begin a new journey to promote reconciliation, cohabitation, brotherhood and friendship among the people of Sri Lanka, and to win over international opinion on these issues." |