Human rights activists across India have called on the Central government to support an international investigation into genocide in Sri Lanka, urging it not to “hide” behind strategic interests.

According the New Indian Express, V Suresh, national general secretary, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) said,

“This is not only an issue of the Tamils’ but a serious human rights violation and with the help of human rights organisations in over 25 States, we will spread awareness so that the whole nation rises against the atrocities committed by the Sri Lankan government.”

“The Sri Lankan government should not be allowed more time for reconciliation initiatives and the investigation should be started immediately. The more the delay, the more the loss and manipulation of evidence.”

Brokers in Sri Lanka’s stock exchange have said that speculation around an impending UNHRC resolution is affecting investor confidence, despite an increase in foreign inflows.

Analysts said that most investors were waiting for the outcome of the resolution, which could have an impact on Sri Lanka’s economy, Reuters reported.

Today's turnover was Rs804.5mn ($6.16mn), less than this year's daily average of about Rs980.3mn.

The Green Party’s human rights spokesperson and Member of Parliament Jan Logie has called on the New Zealand government to support an international inquiry into war crimes in Sri Lanka, as the lack of accountability "puts the lives of people today at risk, as well as future peace in the region.”

Speaking on the resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, Logie said,

“The Human Rights Council session presents an opportunity for New Zealand to push for accountability and protection of human rights action in regard to the worrying situation in Sri Lanka… Our representatives at the United Nations should be doing all they can to support an independent investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka.”

A Sinhalese deportee, who said he was tortured on his return to Sri Lanka, was denied an interview with Australian police who were in Colombo, according to a cable released under a Freedom of Information law request by The Guardian.

The police declined the opportunity to interview the man, to avoid interfering with any ongoing Sri Lankan investigation.

The election manifesto of the Dravida Munettra Kazhagam (DMK) pledged to push the central government for a referendum, held amongst the Tamil of the North-East of Sri Lanka, and migrant Tamils living abroad, to decide on a permanent political solution.

The manifesto also said the party would press for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment on the island and that it would appoint Tamil speaking envoys to countries with large diaspora populations.

Updated 17:40 GMT

The Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that Britain is supporting an independent international inquiry in Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, reported The Guardian.

A spokesperson for David Cameron said that Sri Lanka had failed to meet the deadline set by the PM to conduct a thorough and credible inquiry and that the UK would support the UN High Commissioner’s call for an independent, international investigation.

"Ahead of the vote, we are working hard to secure support from other countries. The PM has personally written to a number of leaders whose countries are on the human rights council this session calling on them to support this resolution which would help to deliver progress on reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka."