Sri Lanka on Wednesday denied it targeted civilians while crushing Tamil Tiger rebels but said action would be taken if war crimes allegations contained in a new British documentary were true.

Tweet

The Sri Lankan High Commission in London said images shown on Channel 4 on Tuesday night had not been verified as genuine and the disturbing footage could incite hatred among ethnic communities in the former British colony.

However, it added that a local panel known as the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) was ready to take note of the claims and take remedial legal action.

"If the allegations levelled by Channel 4 or any other party are found to be genuine, the LLRC will take due note of all such cases and remedial measures will be taken by way of legal sanctions," the statement said.

Sri Lanka's government in a separate statement criticized British Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt who had warned that the international community would revisit "all options available" to press Colombo over its rights record.

"At this crucial time what Sri Lanka needs from its friends is not threats but the space and support for restoration of what was lost over three decades (of war) and the opportunity to move rapidly forward towards reconciliation and economic development," the government statement said.

"Sri Lanka's Killing Fields" - Channel 4 Documentary (DISCLAIMER: this video contains disturbing and distressing footage, scenes that may be uncomfortable to watch, and is unsuitable for minors).

The privately-run Island newspaper said the Channel 4 documentary was aimed at bolstering the claims of defeated Tamil Tiger rebels and reviving their separatist demands.

"What is called for is not a probe into the unsubstantiated allegations of war crimes against Sri Lanka but a thorough investigation into the Channel 4 videos whose authenticity is in question," the pro-government Island said.

Sri Lanka had previously insisted there would not be an investigation because war crimes had not been committed by its troops while defeating the Tamil Tigers by May 2009.

However, army chief Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya earlier this month offered to probe any "specific allegations," but rejected the Channel 4 videos as fabrications aimed at discrediting his troops.

Sri Lanka has also refused to allow a three-member UN expert panel to visit the island nation to probe allegations that troops ordered civilians into "no-fire zones" and then shelled them.

The panel, however, reported in April that there were "credible allegations" that Sri Lankan troops killed thousands of civilians.

The Channel 4 documentary, "Sri Lanka's Killing Fields", contained footage of what it said were prisoner executions. It also showed the bodies of female Tamil fighters who appeared to have been sexually assaulted by government forces. The programme also provided evidence to suggest that the Tamil Tiger fighters had also committed war crimes.

Two UN investigators have confirmed the video as authentic, but the Sri Lankan authorities maintain it is fake.

The 50-minute film also included footage of the aftermath of the targeted shelling of civilian hospitals.

Source: AFP

Lead photo - BielCalderon on flickr.com - all further use subject to this CC licence