Sri Lanka slams UN Human Rights chief's call for war crime inquest

London, June 2 (ANI): Sri Lankan Foreign Minister GL Peiris has severely censured UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay, for persistently raking up the issue of an international inquest into alleged war-crimes committed by both the security forces and the LTTE during their confrontation that saw the demise of the insurgent group.

Pillay has stood firm on her demand for an international inquiry into the allegations despite the Sri Lankan government's reassurances that it will carry out a fair and thorough probe.

"We think that this course of action is unfair. It is even oppressive. It is as though some people will not rest until they are successful in harassing Sri Lanka," the BBC quoted Peiris, as saying.

He added that the manner in which the UN was relentlessly "pursuing Sri Lanka" was not only unfair but also "repugnant to the basic values and principles that are enshrined in the UN system".

He declared that foreign intervention is totally uncalled for and may even hamper the government's efforts.

Moreover, with most of the LTTE having been wiped out, the onus now falls almost entirely on the administration, which might face some uncomfortable questions from the international community, the report said.

"We think any foreign intervention is not only unwarranted but will be a source of hindrance, a detriment to the work of the commission as it gets under way," he said.

On Monday Pillay noted that the Sri Lankan government has now set up its own reconciliation commission but told the UN Human Rights Council that issues of accountability on the island really needed international attention. (ANI)