20 May, 2013 - An international human rights group says respect for basic rights
and liberties has declined in Sri Lanka in the four years since the government defeated
separatist Tamil rebels to end a civil war. Human Rights Watch said the Sri Lankan
government has yet to follow through on its assurances to the United Nations to investigate
allegations of war crimes by all sides. The group's Asia director, Brad Adams, says
the government has rejected investigations, placed restrictions on the media and continued
wartime abuses such as torture. Sri Lanka's quarter-century-long civil war ended
in May 2009. The government held a military parade and war heroes memorial ceremony
over the weekend to mark the victory over Tamil rebels. (Source: AP)