The Frontline Socialist Party on Wednesday said that the war crimes investigations could end up with punishing some soldiers while protecting those who gave orders.

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, FLSP Politburo Member Duminda Nagamuwa said that it was wrong to say that no war crimes happened during the war. There is enough evidence that murder of civilians, rape and other crimes took place, he said, pointing out that both the LTTE and the army were responsible for it.

Nagamuwa argued that the military personnel do not act without orders. Therefore, the commanders who gave orders must be revealed, he said. Penalizing some soldiers and ending the matter at that point is not the solution, Nagamuwa argued.

He urged the government to investigate and reveal the manner in which the war crimes took place during Sri Lanka’s civil war.

Meanwhile, Nagamuwa also pointed out that this is a very complex issue, which cannot be solved by looking at it in Sinhalese or Tamil extremist lenses. Long lasting reconciliation will be achieved only through a system of building trust among the communities, Nagamuwa pointed out.

He also spoke about the international intervention in the Sri Lankan issue and said the US was intervening only in places it chooses. The US will always block investigations on its role in Iraq, he pointed out as an example. However, the discourse that is being created in this country through this process is vital, Nagamuwa added. It could be managed into a process of true reconciliation, he also pointed out.