COLOMBO (News 1st); The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate, inquire into and report or take necessary actions on findings of preceding Commissions or Committees appointed to investigate into human rights violations, serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and other such offences handed over its Interim Report to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The President in extraordinary gazettes issued on January 21st and February 12th, 2021 appointed members to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI)/Supreme Court Judge A. H. M. D. Nawaz is the Chairman of the Commission. Retired Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando and retired District Secretary Nimal Abeysiri are the other members. The Commission, which has paid special attention to the Provisions 9, 11 and 13 of the PTA, has made three key recommendations in its interim report with regard to the implementation of the PTA in a more democratic manner. The Commission, in its Interim Report, proposes the importance of establishing an Advisory Board consisting of not less than three persons representing all ethnic groups, to advise the President or the Minister in charge of Defence under article 13 of the PTA.

Source: The Nation July 21, 2021 14:26 UTC