Chairman says the CoI has no powers to sack panel members

The counsel appearing on behalf of the SLA told the hearing that Commissioner Dr. D Nesiah maintains close links with the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA).

Dr. Nesiah’s presence amounts to conflict of interest as the CPA has ‘intervened’ in CoI investigations, counsel Gomin Dayasiri argued.

Conflict of interest

But the Presidential Commission said it has no jurisdiction to sack or appoint panel members.

CoI chairman, Retired Judge Nissanka Udalagama told journalist KS Udayakumar that only the president has such powers.

It is up to the Commissioner to resign if he so wishes. But the Commission has no such powers CoI chairman, Nissanka Udalagama

“It is up to the Commissioner to resign if he so wishes. But the Commission has no such powers,” justice Udalagama said.

Counsel Gomin Dayasiri told BBC Sandeshaya that the SLA will decide the further course of action over the ruling within the next few days.

The CoI was appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to investigate 15 serious rights abuses including the killing of 17 aid workers in Muttur 0n 04 August 2006.

The workers of French aid agency, Action Against Hunger (ACF), were shot dead as heavy fighting erupted between the SLA and the Tamil Tigers.

The Sri Lanka military is accused by the human rights groups of assassinating the aid workers.

But the authorities say the town was under the control of the LTTE at the time of the incident.