"Once the report is finalized, we are hoping they can refer it to our domestic mechanism for action," Samaraweera told reporters during a visit to Washington. "We are hoping they could hold on to it until our mechanism is in place – maybe August, you know, or so."

Sri Lanka says seeking delay in U.N. war-crimes report

U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville declined comment earlier on Wednesday when asked about the possibility of a delay in the report, but when pressed, said it was still scheduled for release on March 25.

(Reuters)