This council will consist of religious leaders, and its objective is to pardon members of the military accused of having committed war crimes, it says.

A similar mechanism was in force in South Africa, it says, adding the state has decided to provide legal assistance for the accused as well.

Meanwhile, under the local mechanism to be put in place by the Sri Lankan government as per the proposal adopted by the UNHRC, the state will pay legal fees of the accused, minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has promised a group of military officers.

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

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Local mechanism: Legal fees for accused to be paid by state!