The new Sri Lankan Government must address human rights issues and cooperate fully with the UN-mandated investigation into the alleged war crimes during the three decades-long civil war, rights group Amnesty International said today.
"Sri Lanka has for years resisted all international efforts to investigate the conflict years, and instead relied on domestic investigation bodies that toed the government line. This has to end, the new government should cooperate fully with the UN investigation," said David Griffiths, Amnesty International's Deputy Asia Pacific Director.
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 2015.
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.
"The new government now has an opportunity to usher in a new era of genuine respect for human rights - it is one that must not be missed," Griffiths said.
"Tens of thousands of victims and family members are still waiting for the justice they deserve and the new administration must work to deliver it," Griffiths said.
Sri Lankan voters today ousted President Mahinda Rajapaksa from power, ending a 10-year rule that was marked by allegations of family rule, corruption and authoritarianism and chose his one-time minister Maithripala Sirisena in his place.
