JVP says Nowak should fisrt visit other countries including Iraq

The Peoples Liberation Front (JVP) said UN special rapporteur on torture should visit Iraq and many other countries, before visiting Sri Lanka.

Manfred Nowak arrived in Colombo on Monday for a fact finding mission as Sri Lanka government forces, paramilitary groups including Karuna faction and the Tamil Tigers are accused of gross human rights violations.

AI reports on Iraq violence

"According to Amnesty International (AI)," JVP parliamentarian Vijitha Herath told BBC Sandeshaya, "the USA is the worst culprit in terms of human rights violations".

The JVP has continuously accused AI and other international rights groups of being biased towards the LTTE and trying to tarnish Sri Lanka's international image.

JVP says meeting with the US ambassador does not indicate 'double standards'

Asked how he could quote from AI report on USA and ignore the same organisation's report on Sri Lanka, MP Herath said: "I do not say we accept AI reports. I am only quoting from them".

JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa meanwhile on Monday has held talks with US ambassador in Colombo, Robert O' Blake.

When the US does something wrong, the JVP openly says that and when they do something wrong, our party points it out Vijitha Herath, MP

Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath denied suggestions that the talks with the ambassador indicated that the party is dealing with the United States while publicly accusing the country.

He however accepted that the JVP earlier sent a letter to a former US Assistance Secretary of State, Christina Rocca, praising the "democracy" in the United States.

"We have never said that we do not deal with any country. When the US does something wrong, the JVP openly says that and when they do something wrong, our party points it out".