Minister visited Jaffna with UN and aid agencies' representatives

Minister in charge of Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, said the government should accept the responsibility on abductions and killings in the government-held territory.

"If these happens while curfew in place, we cannot deny our responsibility," he told BBC Sandeshaya after a fact finding mission in Jaffna.

The minister was accompanying representatives from the United Nations and international aid agencies to investigate the human rights situation in the peninsular.

If these (violations) happen while curfew in place, we cannot deny our responsibility Minister Samarasinghe

Minister Samarasinghe said he was informed by the National human Rights Commission (HRC) of abductions happening in Jaffna while curfew in place.

"I am going to work out a new arrangement taking into account what I gathered in Jaffna," he told bbcsinhala.com.

International panel

Meanwhile, an international panel has begun investigate into human rights violations, the government announced.

The panel is headed by former Indian Chief Justice, PM Bhagwathie, Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told journalists in Colombo.

Experts from United States, UK, Australia and EU are representing the panel, he added.

The panel is to probe the murder of the then Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, killing of 17 aid workers in Muttur and murder of 11 Muslims in Pottuvil, according to the minister.