The US Assistant Sectretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert O'Blake, urged the Sri Lankan government to show "accelerated progress" in ensuring political rights for Tamils in the North-East.
Speaking to journalists during a three day tour of Sri Lanka and the North-East, Blake said he had "emphasised the importance of progress in reducing the role and profile of the military in the North, and full respect for human rights."
Reiterating the call to implement the recommendations of the LLRC and National Action Plan, Blake “encouraged an early resumption of talks between the TNA and the government to agree on powers to be devolved to the provinces". However he went on to remark, "I just feel there are a lot of questions on how quickly Sri Lanka is committed to moving ahead on this."
“On issues of accountability, it is our hope that three years after the end of the conflict, there can be a credible and transparent accounting, investigation and prosecution of some of the outstanding and serious allegations of human rights violations, as well as progress on the missing."
Accountability is a "very important part of the reconciliation process", said Blake.
