Ranil insists Tamil concerns, war crimes being looked into

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today insisted that concerns of the Tamils in the North and East are being looked into.

Responding to concerns raised by Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, the Prime Minister said that the issue over the presence of the army in the North and land held by the army is?being addressed.

He also said that investigations over alleged war crimes?will be conducted and those found guilty will be prosecuted.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the National Thaipongal festival in Jaffna attended by?Wigneswaran, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and British Minister of State Hugo Swire.

The Prime Minister said that the Government has sought a report on the remaining land being occupied by the army and once the report is obtained the next step will be taken.

He also said that the military in the North is a legally recognized army unlike the LTTE and their numbers and locations of camps will be decided based on the need of the hour.

The Prime Minister said the Prevention of Terrorism Act will also be replaced by the middle?of this year with new laws.

Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka has shifted from the dark ages and is experiencing change?as a result of the new Government.

He said that the public however want immediate solutions to their issues, particularly the Tamils affected by the war.

The Prime Minister also said that he has invited British Prime Minister David Cameron to visit Sri Lanka and experience the change in the country.

David Cameron visited Sri Lanka, including Jaffna, in 2013 during the Commonwealth summit when Mahinda Rajapaksa was President.?(Colombo Gazette)