DHAKA: The United Nations has called for a special court to try war crimes committed during the Sri Lankan army’s long conflict with Tamil Tiger rebels.

In a long-delayed report, the UN Human Rights Council accused both sides of atrocities, especially during the final stages of the war in 2009.

Sri Lanka said it would hold a domestic inquiry but would not allow the UN court, which would have foreign judges.

One UN estimate is that 40,000 Tamils died in the final army offensive.

Earlier this week Sri Lanka’s new government unveiled plans to set up a truth and reconciliation commission to examine war crimes allegations, including those against the military.

The previous government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa had resisted international pressure to investigate the issue, reports the BBC.

BDST: 2011 HRS, SEPT 16, 2015
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