July 07, Colombo: The United States government on Tuesday reiterated its support to the Panel of Experts appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to advise him on Sri Lanka's accountability on the alleged violations of human rights during the last stages of war with Tamil Tigers.

Responding to a question regarding the protest outside the UN office in Sri Lanka Tuesday, acting deputy spokesman of the State Department Mark Toner said the US welcomes the UN chief's panel of experts to provide advice on relevant best practices for investigations into alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

"We support people's right to free expression. We also support a robust accountability process that will provide a durable foundation for national reconciliation and the rule of law in the aftermath of Sri Lanka's decades-long conflict the spokesman stressed.

Sri Lanka has shown its displeasure with the appointment of the panel saying that it is unnecessary and unwarranted as the government has already taken measures to address the same issues within the country.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa last month appointed a eight-member to probe the alleged violations and to find ways to achieve reconciliation among the communities.