UN High Commissioner Calls for War Crimes Investigation in Sri Lanka

(26 May 09 - RV) The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today called for an international investigation to determine if Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil rebels had committed war crimes.

Navi Pillay says that ensuring accountability for abuses committed in the recent fighting was important for the island nation's national reconciliation.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's military said it plans to enlist at least 100,000 more soldiers to head off any resurgence of the separatist Tamil Tigers, who were routed by government forces last week to end a quarter century of civil war.

The troop build up comes amid concern that remnants of the rebel group living abroad may try to resurrect it under new leadership.

But Jehan Perera from the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka says that with their military power gone, the LTTE will face difficulty in its attempt to revive.