UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on Sri Lanka to “constructively engage and cooperate” with the Office of the High Commissioner on the implementation of the resolution passed by the Human Rights Council last week.

Speaking at the daily briefing of the UN, deputy spokesperson for the Secretary General Farhan Haq said that Ban Ki-moon welcomes the “determination” shown by High Commissioner Navi Pillay to advance accountability.

The general secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena, a Buddhist organisation thought to be close to Defence Secretary gotabhaya Rajapaksa, has been acquitted of attacking a church in 2008.

Galabodaaththe Gnanasara and 13 others, inlucding 4 other monks, were charged with trespassing and attacking the Calvary Church in Thalahena, Malabe, reported the Daily Mirror.

“I’m not here to share my information with you, that is important. And certain action which we have shared with relevant authorities is there to justify that Sri Lankan government has enough credible evidence to suggest that,” 

The resolution adopted in the UN Human Rights council is the first step in the rocky path towards accountability, writes the exiled Tamil journalist, J.S. Tissainayagam in the Asian Correspondent on Monday. Full text of his opinion reproduced below.

The Sri Lanka resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Thursday establishes an international investigation mechanism to probe alleged war crimes of the past as well as monitor ongoing human rights violations in the country. While politicians worldwide spoke of the passing of the resolution in terms of victory and defeat, for those working for justice and accountability in the country it was a day of sober reflection on the work ahead. While the resolution partly fulfils the demand for justice and accountability, its weaknesses could also be a cause for serious setbacks.

The Tamil Students Initiative (TSI) recognises the resolution passed by the United Nations Human Rights Council as a small but important step in the ongoing struggle for justice for the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

India's decision to abstain from voting on the resolution at the UN Human Rights Council last week was a betrayal said the Bishop of Mannar, Rayappu Joseph, reports Uthayan.

Accusing the Indian government of wanting to avoid unearthing their own involvement and complicity in the Sri Lankan government's genocide of the Tamil people, the Bishop called on India to work with the UN to help seek justice for the Tamils.