Sri Lanka rejects probe call by UN rights chief

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka has rejected a call by United Nation's rights chief Navi Pillay for an international inquiry into alleged war crimes carried out during the country's civil war, saying it reflects a "preconceived, politicized and prejudicial agenda" against the island nation.

A government statement said Tuesday that Navi Pillay's recommendation "gives scant or no regard to the domestic process on going in Sri Lanka."

The statement was in response to a draft report by Pillay, ahead of the release next month of a U.N. Human Rights Council review of Sri Lanka's progress in probing alleged war crimes. Pillay's report is on the Web site of the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Sri Lanka is facing international criticism for failing to investigate allegations of war crimes.