By Hojin Choi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka’s new regime is planning a new investigation into human rights violations committed during the country’s civil war. Sri Lanka had the longest civil war in Asia, lasting 26 years, and ending in 2009. Sri Lanka initiated an investigation into the issues on its own accord, but had not reached credible results in the process.

The new phase of the investigation is highly related to the launch of the new regime. The former president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, had refused to cooperate with the U.N. investigation. According to the U.N., Rajapaksa interfered by creating a “wall of fear” to prevent witnesses from giving testimony and tried to “sabotage” the investigation.

The U.N. investigators also argued that the government intimidated human rights defenders by “surveillance, harassment, and other forms” of coercion. Rajapaksa was ousted by a surprising election result at the beginning of January. He was then accused of an attempted coup aimed at staying in power after the election. He denied the allegation.

The U.N. reports that about 40,000 civilians, mostly members of Tamil rebel group, were killed in a final government assault that ended the civil war, and that both sides committed serious human rights violations. The new president Maithripala Sirisena promised a new inquiry under an independent judiciary and with support of foreign experts.

“We are thinking of having our own inquiry acceptable to them, to the international standards,” said a government spokesperson. New president Serisena also sent his senior advisor to meet U.N. officials to discuss the investigation.

Two weeks before the government’s announcement, Pope Francis, during a visit to Sri Lanka, also urged the nation to pursue the truth about alleged war crimes. He said that reconciliation after tragic bloodshed could be found only “by overcoming evil with good, and by cultivating those virtues which foster reconciliation, solidarity and peace.” During his speech, he did not mention the former president’s alleged refusal to cooperate with the investigation.

“The process of healing also needs to include the pursuit of truth, not for the sake of opening old woulds, but rather as a necessary means of promoting justice, healing and unity,” Pope Francis added. The new president, Sirisena, welcomed him at the Cololbo’s International Airport.

Besides the investigation into the final week of the civil war, human rights activists argue there seem to be more issues to be addressed by the new regime. Tamils, the oppressed side in the war, still say that they are suffering from discrimination. A government spokesperson said that the government is also considering the release of political prisoners who were suspected of rebel activities associated with the Tamil group.

For more information, please see:

Arab News – New Sri Lanka govt plans fresh war crimes probe – 29 January 2015

Jurist – Sri Lanka to initiate new war crimes investigation – 29 January 2015

The National – Pope Francis says Sri Lanka must investigate war crimes – 13 January 2015

Reuters – Pope says Sri Lanka should seek truth over civil war – 13 January 2015