Credible internal investigations will be held into human rights violations: Presdient tells diplomats

President Maithripala Sirisena has told the international community that the new government under him is committed to conduct credible investigations based on international standard into human rights violations and that those found guilty will be punished.

He was speaking to foreign diplomats yesterday. He said:

The new government is always ready to extend every possible support to those countries which support Sri Lanka. The funds for development work in the country will be expended in a transparent manner.

The unlimited executive powers of the presidency will be removed by making the necessary constitutional reforms. The government will move a Bill on the Right to Information (RTI) in its 100 day program to safeguard the basic rights of the people and the democracy of the country and the preliminary activities in this regard have already been taken. The RTI is a measure recommended in the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’s report.

The government has decided to hand over thousand acres of land situated in north and east provinces as well as near the President’s residence and Temple trees which had been declared as high security zones during the war.