Malwatte and Asgiriya Mahanayakes tell UN Human Rights Chief there is no need of Foreign Involvement into Alleged War Crimes Inquiry

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By Cyril Wimalasurendre

The Mahanayaka Theras of Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters, the premier seats of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist Order, informed the visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra-ad Al Hussein, yesterday (08) that there was no need for foreign involvement in an inquiry into allegations of war crimes.

The prelates categorically stated that a local inquiry could be held if such a probe was necessary.

Hussein called on the Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera and Most Venerable Galagama Sri Attadassi Thera, the prelates of Malwatte and Asgiriya respectively after paying his homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic at Sri Dalada Maligawa.

The UNHRC chief was received by the Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela on arrival at the sacred shrine.

Having accorded a warm welcome to the visiting dignitary Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera told him that different communities of Sri Lanka were living in harmony.

The members of all communities had suffered due to terrorism, the prelate said, adding that it was not possible for normalcy to return in two or three years after a thirty-year-old war.

The alleged human rights violations and other issues related to the war could be inquired into by a local mechanism, Most Venerable Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera said.

There was absolutely no need for any foreign involvement in such an inquiry, the prelate said.

There was peace as well as reconciliation under the administration of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prelate added.

The meeting between Most Venerable Galagama Sri Attadassi Mahanayaka Thera of Asgiriya and the UNHRC chief was not open to the media. The Mahanayaka Thera later told the media that he had also informed the UN dignitary that a local inquiry could be conducted, if necessary, to find out if any war crimes had been committed and there was no need for foreign involvement.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights told the media that he had held discussions with several parties including the prelates and he would release a report after having studied all views.

Courtesy:The Island