Lanka to continue probe of alleged rights abuses: Minister

Colombo, April 22 : Sri Lanka's Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said on Tuesday that President Mahinda Rajapakse-led government is committed to completing the work of the Presidential commission of inquiry into rights abuses.

Samarasinghe's announcement came after foreign observers withdrew from the probe citing "lack of political will to find the truth".

"We have exhausted our ability to make a useful contribution. Sections of popular opinion suggest that human rights and respect for the rule of law should take second place to measures necessary to repel these hostilities. The IIGEP (International Independent Group of Eminent Persons) rejects this opinion," said Professor Sir Nigel Rodley, a member of the IIGEP.

Their withdrawal has piled more pressure on Colombo over its rights record during the 25-year civil war, which has flared anew in the past year.

"This commitment remains unwavering, despite the decision taken by the members of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) to prematurely relinquish their mandate," Samarasinghe said.

"They have gone beyond their mandate. The reports issued by them had so many factual mistakes and misleading information," he told reporters here.

A probe into rights abuses was ordered following global calls for action.

ANI