Sri Lanka, UN in confrontation on human rights panel (4)

"Everybody loses if we can not go to Sri Lanka. It will make it harder for the truth to be unearthed," he said.

Assistant Secretary of U.S. State Department Philip Crowley said clearing Sri Lanka's alleged war crimes would be important to renewed relationships with its people.

"Human rights are an essential element of Sri Lanka's future and it should take the opportunity, cooperate broadly and establish a new dynamic relationship with its people," Crowley said.

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said the United States supports a robust accountability process, which would lay a durable foundation for national reconciliation in the post-conflict era.

Being Sri Lanka's major financial supporter Japan too has backed Ban's move. Former special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi said during his recent visit to Sri Lanka that a UN panel was useful in reconciliation efforts.

Former peace negotiator and Norway's International Development Minister Erik Solheim said Norway welcomes Ban's decision to appoint a panel.

"My friend, External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris and others informed me there are lots of criticisms. But, there is broad international support for the decision. The personalities of the panel have a long standing good international reputation," he said.


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