UN panel overstepped its mandate [April 21 2011]

It is fundamentally wrong for the UN to publish the report or take action based on the recommendations by the UN panel of advisors, Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris said.

Speaking to media today (21) at the Ministry of External Affairs, Prof. Peiris said the report was not complied by the UN or a mandated UN body.

The panel was appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations only to advise him on Sri Lanka. "It is not a fact finding or an investigative body," he said.

The UN panel has overstepped its mandate by investigating alleged war crimes when they have no authority to do so, Prof. Peiris said.