HR violations must be handled by local officials - Mahinda Samarasinghe

by Ananda Kannangara

The investigations on human rights violations in our country, carried out by foreign human rights officials were rejected outright by Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe at a ceremony, organised by the Police Department at Beruwala on Friday.

Minister Samarasinghe speaking to 60 senior police officials in the Kalutara District, expressed displeasure over the services obtained by the Government from foreign human rights officials to investigate internal matters.

He said Sri Lanka is an independent country and therefore whatever investigations in regard to human rights' violations here in future, must be handled by our own officials and not foreign investigators.

"However, I always welcome foreign human rights activists to visit Sri Lanka and seek their advice and expertise knowledge on human rights violations for our officials to enable them to provide a better service".

Meanwhile, Deputy Solicitor General Palitha Fernando who was the Chief Guest told the police personnel not to act irresponsibly when taking wrongdoers into their custody and to maintain law and order.

"As we are aware 99 per cent of our countrymen maintain a good rapport with the police and the remaining one per cent who are engaged in unlawful activities do not like to have a close rapport with them.

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