Lanka eyes strong judiciary as UN probe in war crimes near end

Apprehending that Sri Lankan military and other civilians could appear before an international tribunal, the government today said a strong judiciary is required to restore judicial credibility which could convince the world.
A UN-mandated investigation into the alleged violations of human rights by both - government troops and LTTE rebels - during the final phase of the civil war, is due to present its findings at the UN Human Rights Council in March.
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the government needed to convince the world that country's judiciary is competent, the Colombo Page reported.
Sri Lanka's judiciary should be independent and impartial which can rank among the best anywhere in the world, he said.

"An international inquiry, initiated last year, is now currently nearing completion.
"The results of this inquiry could lead to Sri Lankan armed forces and other civilians appearing before an international tribunal, unless tangible steps are swiftly taken to restore judicial credibility," he said, adding it is previous regime's failure to set up credible domestic mechanism that has led to our current difficulties.

Samaraweera said the challenge is to ensure that Sri Lanka is able to effectively enjoy the rights, privileges and benefits of re-entering the community of civilised nations and ensure that as a country, it does not suffer economic sanctions, ill-dignity and a tarnished reputation.

While defending the removal of country's controversial Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, he said Peiris had acted in complete violation of the international standards of judicial conduct and therefore, could not be expected to command the respect and confidence of the international community, the report said.
The UN says 30,000 people were killed towards the end of the ethnic conflict in 2009 when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was finally crushed.