India has responsibility to stop internal inquiry

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa told the Assembly on Wednesday that the UNHRC would hold its sessions between September 14 and October 2. On September 30, there would be a debate on the Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights-Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka. The resolution on the subject will be discussed on October 1 and 2, Ms. Jayalalithaa said.

Meanwhile, media reports suggested that the Sri Lankan government’s views had been sought on the report. In such a situation, there are apprehensions that a resolution favouring “internal inquiry” by the Sri Lankan government could be moved in the UNHRC.

“It is against natural justice. India has a great responsibility to stop it,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said. It was in this context that it was decided to unanimously adopt a resolution in the Assembly urging the Centre to take steps through the UNHRC for an international probe.

Ms. Jayalalithaa also recalled the earlier resolutions moved by her in the Assembly urging India not to treat Sri Lanka as a “friendly nation” and impose “economic sanctions” on the island nation for its war crimes.

Another resolution had demanded that India boycott a meeting of Heads of Commonwealth nations held in Sri Lanka in 2013, besides insisting on the non-participation of Sri Lankan players and officials in IPL matches in Chennai. “The BCCI agreed and is following it till now,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said, hailing it as a victory for her government to the loud thumping of desks by the ruling partymen.

Later, she wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, appending the resolution passed unanimously in the Assembly, and requesting the Centre to take immediate action on the basis of it. (The Hindu)