Colombo, April 17: A UN panel has called for setting up of an “independent international mechanism” into what it called “credible” allegations that Sri Lankan military committed war crimes in its final decisive offensive against Tamil Tigers in 2009, a charge described by Colombo as “unsubstantiated”.
The three-member panel, appointed by UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon submitted its report last week without making it public. But leaked excerpts were published here in Island newspaper.
According to the paper the report has described as “credible” allegations that Sri Lankan military systematically targeted hospitals in the Tamil dominated Vanni area and executed some of the captured LTTE cadres after the war.
The panel has also alleged that LTTE had held Vanni population hostage and executed those trying to escape in beginning of February 2009.
-Agencies