By Maheesha Mudugamuwa

The SLFP yesterday stressed that the US resolution on Sri Lanka had been based on opinions of different people who had no knowledge of either the country’s Constitution or the judicial system.

Addressing a press conference at the SLFP Headquarters in Colombo, Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva noted that whatever the decision the government took on the resolution, it should finally be passed by parliament of Sri Lanka if the recommendations therein were to be implemented.

He noted that the SLFP’s official statement on the resolution would be revealed within a few days after a committee appointed to review the resolution had presented their opinions.

The committee including former President Chandrika Kumaranatunga, Transport Minister De Silva and several others was appointed to review the US sponsored resolution against the country.

De Silva said that the committee had already met twice and the final statement would be given in the near future.

Commenting on the draft resolution titled promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka which was submitted to members of the UNHRC on Sept. 24, Minister De Silva said that the international crimes categorised on the resolution against Sri Lanka included war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, torture, enforced disappearances, emergency regulations, unlawful killings and about the justice system of Sri Lanka.

Highlighting the recommendations to establish hybrid courts, revision of all the cases submitted on disappearances and establishment of proper mechanism to investigate war crimes, the Minister stressed that it was compulsory to get the parliamentary approval for implementation of the recommendations, for some recommendations, it was necessary to get the 2/3 majority of parliament as well as approval of the people at a referendum.

For some recommendations including establishing of a hybrid court and introduction of new legislation with retrospective effect, it was compulsory to amend the Constitution, Minister De Silva noted.

The mechanism would take so much of time, and, therefore there was no need to be in a hurry, he stressed.

He also noted that the opinion of the former government was also to put in place a domestic mechanism instead of international investigation.

Courtesy:The Island