Sri Lanka to establish ‘independent trustworthy local mechanism’ says Ranil

Sri Lanka’s prime minister expressed his government’s aim to “establish an independent, trustworthy and enforcing local mechanism to investigate, maintain justice and equity, and to compensate, making sure that such unpleasant incidents will never happen again,” in a parliamentary speech on Wednesday.

Addressing parliament, Mr Wickremesinghe outlined his government’s intention of setting up a “South Africa style” Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a special judiciary to establish prosecutions for human rights violations, whilst reforming constitution to prevent abductions tortures and forceful disappearances.

Emphasising the importance of changing Sir Lanka's penal code, Mr Wickremesinghe said,

“We believe these new laws will ensure the future and a peaceful Sri Lanka that will never have to face such issues. The United States and the other nations are working toward presenting us a favourable proposal in the days to come. I will inform parliament of details of the proposal on the next sitting date.”