UN rights chief gives Sri Lanka March ultimatum on war crimes probe

United Nations Human Rights chief Navi Pillay has warned Sri Lanka to show clear progress towards reining in rights abuses by next March or face an international probe.

Pillay called on Colombo to use the time before she delivers a widely-anticipated report on the country to the UN Human Rights Council next March.

According to the Nation, in March 2012 and March 2013, the UN's highest human rights body adopted resolutions calling on Lanka to investigate allegations of violations in anti-Tamil war.

Sri Lanka, which maintains it is making great strides in its national reconciliation process, flatly rejected the suggestion an international probe might be needed.

Pillay also lamented the erosion of rule of law in Sri Lanka, and said the controversial impeachment of the country's chief justice earlier this year had 'shaken confidence in the independence of the judiciary and separation of powers in general,' the report said.

She also described high levels of harassment and intimidation of human rights advocates, lawyers and journalists.