The commission is headed by Justice Nissanka Udalagama

The first statement of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IGEP) has strongly criticised the probes conducted by a commission headed by retired justice Nissanka Udalagama.

The IGEP said the presidential commission set up in November to investigate some of the most serious cases had made hardly any noticeable progress.

The Commission is looking into 15 cases including the murder of seventeen aid workers from the French charity, Action Against Hunger, in August last year.

It also investigates the killing of then Foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in 2005.

Slow progress

The IGEP accused the commission in charge of human rights investigations of being slow, ineffective and plagued by conflicts of interest.

	17 Aid workers were killed in Muttur

In their first report, IGEP expressed particular concern over the lack of provisions to protect witnesses, who might be too frightened to give evidence.

“We are of the view that witness protection is absolutely essential in order to investigate serious violations of human rights” said the head of the IGEP P N Bagawathi.

Speaking to Sandeshaya Justice Nissanka Udalagama accept the fact that it is important to create a witness protecting system.

“Our plan to create a witness protection system is awaiting funds form the presidential secretariat and it has promised us 15 million rupees” he said.

Lack of Independence

The IGEP is concerned that the Commission’s finances are managed by the Presidential Secretariat and pointed out that it seriously undermine the independence of the Commission.

	Abducted two ICRC workers' bodies were found in Kirialla

“We consider these to be serious conflicts of interest, which lack transparency and compromise national and international standards of independence” added the IGEP report.

However the head of the presidential commission pointed out that by having attorneys from the Attorney Generals Department does not hinder the independence of the commission.

“When they cross-examine the witnesses we monitor the process” Justice Udalagama Said.

The monitors were appointed by the government itself, and are led by a former Indian Supreme Court chief justice, PN Bhagwathie.