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Sri Lanka president Sirisena pledges war crimes inquiry Sri Lanka president Sirisena pledges war crimes inquiry
(about 3 hours 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. Sri Lanka hopes to set up a domestic inquiry within a month into atrocities from the civil war, President Maithripala Sirisena has told the BBC.
Maithripala Sirisena said UN investigators would not be involved, despite international pressure. He said UN investigators would not take part in the inquiry, but their views would be taken into account.
He was speaking to the BBC's Sinhala service while on a visit to London. Mr Sirisena's predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa consistently refused any co-operation with the UN.
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 army and Tamil Tiger rebels were both accused of atrocities in the 26-year war, which ended in 2009.
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". Between 80,000 and 100,000 people are estimated to have died in the conflict.
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. In the final months, many thousands of Tamil civilians are thought to have been killed in government shelling.
Mr Sirisena told BBC Sinhala's Saroj Pathirana that an investigative committee would work "efficiently, in a balanced, legal and impartial manner".
When asked if UN investigators would be involved, the president said: "We are ready to get advice and their opinions for the inquiry, but I don't think we need any outsiders because we have all the sources for this."
Analysis: Charles Haviland, former BBC Colombo correspondentAnalysis: Charles Haviland, former BBC Colombo correspondent
Measured in his style, Maithripala Sirisena cuts a very different figure from his controversial predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa.Measured in his style, Maithripala Sirisena cuts a very different figure from his controversial predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa.
On issues where Mr Rajapaksa always seemed implacable, President Sirisena appears to have opened the door just a little wider.On issues where Mr Rajapaksa always seemed implacable, President Sirisena appears to have opened the door just a little wider.
So Sri Lanka will still not allow UN war crimes investigators to visit. But, said the president, "we can take account of their opinion in doing our work, to make it more fruitful". That is worlds away from the old government's position.So Sri Lanka will still not allow UN war crimes investigators to visit. But, said the president, "we can take account of their opinion in doing our work, to make it more fruitful". That is worlds away from the old government's position.
His National Security Council will, he said, examine details of people, mostly Tamils, who have been in detention without charge, some for years, and will report back suggesting charging them or freeing them.His National Security Council will, he said, examine details of people, mostly Tamils, who have been in detention without charge, some for years, and will report back suggesting charging them or freeing them.
He insisted there was now space for open dialogue and dissent on issues including war crimes.He insisted there was now space for open dialogue and dissent on issues including war crimes.
But he said he "doesn't believe" war crimes allegations contained, for instance, in the documentary "No Fire Zone", which was shown on the UK's Channel 4.But he said he "doesn't believe" war crimes allegations contained, for instance, in the documentary "No Fire Zone", which was shown on the UK's Channel 4.
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, 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 former ally Mr 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. But parliamentary elections take place later this year, and Mr Rajapaksa could return as prime minister.
Mr Sirisena received large numbers of votes from Tamils and Muslims in the poll, the country's two largest minorities. Analysts say Mr Sirisena's refusal to allow UN investigators to be involved may be designed to appeal to Sinhalese voters, who are largely opposed to any international inquiry.
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." Mr Sirisena also received large numbers of votes from Tamils and Muslims in January's election victory.
As a result, he also has to promise to deal with the legacy of the war and promote national 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," he said.