Minister Ranawaka has been tasked by the president and the prime minister to coordinate with the military with regard to the Geneva report.

He has explained on several occasions about the state’s interventions when members of the military are faced with accusations.

The local mechanism is not a hybrid one, he stressed, adding that the assistance of foreign experts will be obtained in order to gain international recognition for it.

No punishment

Meanwhile, minister Mangala Samaraweera has said that confessions made at the truth commission would not be used to mete out punishment.

The commission will comprise of religious leaders, who will have the right to extend pardons, he has said.

Meeting last week, a SLFP committee decided that allegations of human rights violations should be investigated through a local mechanism within the parameters of the country’s constitution.