Welcoming the latest report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka, Britain has supported a call for an international investigation into alleged human rights violations during the final stages of the war in the island nation.

Saying that the international community has a duty to act, Britain has confirmed “will be using our position on the UN Human Rights Council to actively press for an international investigation given the lack of a credible domestic accountability process to date”.

Welcoming the progress which has been made by Sri Lanka in areas including the reintegration of child soldiers, demining and reconstruction of conflict affected areas, UK said it strongly believes “that, without a credible investigation in to very serious allegations of the past, it will be very difficult for the Sri Lankan people to move forward in the true spirit of lasting peace, reconciliation and unity and for Sri Lanka to reach its true potential.”

Britain has earlier issued a warning that in the absence of an independent investigation into alleged sexual crimes carried out by government forces in Lanka, “pressure would mount for an international investigation including from the UK”.

UK’s foreign minister has supported the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ call for an international investigation.

British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Hugo Swire said UK was seriously concerned about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and the lack of progress on accountability.

“These concerns include the undermining of independent institutions such as the judiciary, a ‘significant surge’ in attacks on religious minorities, reports of sexual harassment and violations, continuation of impunity, continued militarisation of former conflict areas and the continuing trend of restrictions on freedom of expression and association,” Swire said.

On Feb 24, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay released her report on the promotion of accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka following her visit to Sri Lanka last August.

Swire said: “It is deeply disappointing to note that the government of Sri Lanka have not taken any of the steps recommended following the High Commissioner’s visit in August 2013 and that they have failed to accept all offers of technical assistance on accountability from the UN. We strongly agree with the High Commissioner’s assessment that the Sri Lankan government has ‘failed to ensure independent and credible investigations into past violations of international human rights and humanitarian law’ on both sides during the civil war, and we therefore strongly support her call for an international investigation.”