'Stating that panels set up by the Sri Lankan government to probe the allegations lacked the needed credibility, a group of US Congressmen is urging the Obama administration to push for an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes that occurred during Sri Lanka's civil war.
In a letter dated 9th August and signed by 57 members of the US House of Representatives to US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton the group states the panels appointed by the government of Sri Lanka delayed criminal investigations and in several instances members of these commissions have resigned in protest at the government's interference.
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There is mounting evidence that suggests both parties in the conflict committed severe human rights violations during the conflict." The letter also states, "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."
Sri Lanka, however, has rejected a United Nations probe into alleged rights abuses during the final stages of the war. Sri Lanka says that no civilians were killed during the war and that it would not allow the UN or any other independent body to probe war crimes allegations.