Warning against "the risk of triumphalism" in the wake of its victory over the LTTE, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has asked Sri Lanka to work for heeling the wounds of conflict and heed international calls for a transparent inquiry into violence against civilians.
Ban said the UN remains ready "to facilitate ongoing efforts by the Sri Lankan government in healing the wounds through national reconciliation and through inclusive political dialogue".
He warned against the "risk of triumphalism" and said it will hinder ongoing efforts by the government, the people and the international community, to help heal the wounds inflicted during the long-running conflict.
Reiterating his appeal for an inquiry into alleged abuses committed during the recently concluded conflict with Tamil rebels, Ban asked the Sri Lankan government to heed international calls for accountability and transparency.
"It is crucially important that the Sri Lankan government follow up on all the promises that they have made," Ban told reporters following an informal discussion with Security Council members on Sri Lanka.
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Last month, Sri Lanka's government declared that its military operation against the LTTE was over, ending more than two decades of fighting.
In the joint statement issued at the end of his May 22-23 visit to the country, Ban and President Mahinda Rajapaksa had said that the country had now entered a new post-conflict phase and faces many obstacles relating to relief, rehabilitation, resettlement and reconciliation.
"Whenever and wherever there are credible allegations of violations of humanitarian law, there should be a proper investigation," Ban said.
The world body, which has been focusing its efforts to support the government in aiding the 290,000 people who fled the fighting in recent months, also stands ready to continue providing humanitarian assistance, he said.