Prof Avdhash Kaushal only Indian on the panel to probe war crimes in Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI: An Indian human rights activist has been selected by the Sri Lankan government to be part of an international panel to assist that country's Presidential Commission investigating wartime disappearances and charges of war crimes against Lankan forces and the LTTE.

Prof Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson of Dehradun-based NGO Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra will be the only Indian on the panel which will also have experts from Japan and Pakistan.

The Lankan government has formed the panel on the advice of Japanese government, a statement released by the NGO said.

Kaushal, a Padma awardee, said that "the offer has come after the consent of the Indian Government," adding that he has accepted it to be a member of "this prestigious and challenging" panel.