“SL govt. should investigate war crimes here and prosecute those responsible,” Senior Counsel Anura Meddegoda

 By Susitha Fernando 

One of the leading senior legal practitioners and newly appointed President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) insists that Sri Lanka should seriously investigate the allegations of war crimes by the Sri Lankan judiciary and those responsible must be brought to book to clear the international black mark created with the 26 year long war. 

Former Legal Advisor to The Hague’s United Nations International Criminal Tribunal and President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda warned that if the allegations are not investigated, not only military heads but even political leaders would have travel restrictions. “My personal view about war crimes is, allegations have been made that there has been indiscriminate killings and serious violations of international humanitarian law, and war crimes have been committed. If that is the case, we as a country must examine those allegations,” the senior counsel with over 40 years’ experience said. Mr. Meddegoda explained that the new government under Anura Kumara Dissanayake can start a fresh probe on the allegations and have a prosecution under Sri Lankan law.“ 

It is far better for us to resolve our issues, to take them to task in this country, conduct prosecutions rather than having foreign judges coming into this country to pronounce judgement in those matters. That’s something I told you,” he said.  The senior counsel was also a member of the committee that was appointed to examine a report with war crimes allegation that was submitted by US Congress in January 2009. 
See full interview on Page 6/7.