London: British Prime Minister David Cameron has asked Sri Lankan President-elect Maithripala Sirisena to facilitate the UN investigation into human rights abuses in the country. In his congratulatory message released by Downing Street, Cameron expressed hope that the issues of the past will be addressed.
In his statement, he said, "I congratulate Maithripala Sirisena on his victory in yesterday's Presidential election. When I visited Sri Lanka I saw the huge potential the country has, and wish him well in taking every opportunity to help realise this potential and lead a stable, prosperous, united country."
"These peaceful, democratic elections are a credit to all those involved and the people of Sri Lanka. I welcome the fact that outgoing President (Mahinda) Rajapaksa has accepted the democratic will of the people and committed to ensuring a smooth transfer of power.
"I encourage President-elect Sirisensa to support the ongoing UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights' investigation into human rights abuses so that the issues of the past can be addressed and the country can move forward to a brighter, peaceful future where all Sri Lankans can play a role," Cameron said.
A UN-mandated investigation into the alleged violations of human rights by both government troops and LTTE rebels during the final phase of the civil war, is due to present its findings at the UN Human Rights Council in March 2015.
The UN says 30,000 people were killed towards the end of the ethnic conflict in 2009 when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was finally crushed. Sri Lankan voters have ousted President Mahinda Rajapaksa from power, ending a 10-year rule that was marked by allegations of family rule, corruption and authoritarianism and chose his one-time minister Maithripala Sirisena in his place.
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