UNHRC to discuss Sri Lanka report on September 30

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will discuss the much anticipated report on the war in Sri Lanka on September 30, during the 30th session of the UNHRC.

The draft agenda of the 30th session of the UNHRC notes that the report on Sri Lanka by the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights will be submitted by him on September 30, followed by a discussion. The report is expected to reveal, in detail, witness accounts on the war and name those responsible for alleged war crimes. The Government said, last week, that it will not agree to an international war crimes investigation on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said that the position of the Government is that a domestic mechanism will be setup to investigate allegations over the war on the LTTE. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights compiled a report on the war based on statements collected from the families of victims and eyewitnesses and, Senaratne said, a copy of the report is expected to be handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena, next month. However, he said, even if the report suggests an international investigation, or for those accused to be taken to an international court, the Sri Lankan Government will not agree.