Sri Lanka begins civil war hearings

Al Jazeera
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Sri Lanka has officially begun its investigation into the country's decades-long civil war, with a government-appointed panel set to hear testimony in the capital, as well as in a former war zone.

Wednesday's opening was a ceremonial event, with testimony expected to start on the second day of the hearings, on August 17.

The eight-member panel will hear testimony on five separate days in the capital and two days in Vavuniya, near the former war zone, an official statement said.

The inquiry is expected to focus on why a 2002 truce between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam collapsed and led to more fighting.

The president's office has said the panel will also make recommendations on how to ensure the country does not return to conflict.

Independent inquiry call

Around 7,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the final stages of the civil war last year, according to a United Nations report.

Colombo, however, has rejected the UN report, and refused to allow any independent body to investigate war crimes allegations.

US legislators have called for an independent international inquiry into possible war crimes, arguing that the panels set up by the Colombo-based government "lacked the needed credibility".

"There is mounting evidence that suggests both parties in the conflict committed severe human rights violations during the conflict," US congressmen said in a letter addressed to Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state.

"We urge you to call for a robust and independent international investigation that would finally clarify the events that occurred during the conflict and provide the foundation for a sustainable peace in Sri Lanka."

© Al Jazeera