Lanka Government needs to do more for reconciliation: UNHCR chief

"Notwithstanding the commendable progress the Sri Lankan Government has made in resettlement and reconstruction, the High Commissioner firmly believes that a more fundamental and far-reaching accountability process in Sri Lanka, addressing both past and ongoing violations, is absolutely necessary for Sri Lankans to come to terms with their past, end impunity, achieve reconciliation between communities and strengthen the rule of law," he said.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its oral update on the investigation on Sri Lanka, which will be formally communicated to the UN Human Rights Council at its ongoing regular session on Wednesday, said Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al- Hussein intends to go ahead with the comprehensive investigation mandated by the Human Rights Council and being undertaken by OHCHR to make an important contribution in this regard.

"He therefore appeals once again to the Sri Lankan authorities to cooperate fully with the investigation, as well as with the relevant Special Procedures mandate holders, in the long-term interests of all Sri Lankans," the Lanka Page web site quoted the update, as saying.

Sri Lanka maintains that the probe is an unnecessary and unethical intrusion into the island nations' sovereignty and the government has rejected the investigative panel appointed by previous UNHCR chief Navi Pillay.