Dec 18, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government Saturday said that it was ready to consider if a request is made by the United Nations Secretary General's Panel of Experts to visit Sri Lanka to meet the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Bandula Jayasekara has told the media today that the government would consider if a formal request is made by the UN Panel to visit Sri Lanka.

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday the Panel of Experts appointed by him to probe Sri Lanka's accountability issues plans to visit the island and meet with Sri Lanka's Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission.

In response, the External Affairs Ministry today issued an official statement saying the Government of Sri Lanka has the responsibility to facilitate those desirous of presenting representations, as set out in the mandate of the LLRC.

"Accordingly, in the event of the Panel of the Secretary-General wishing to present representations to the Commission, the Ministry of External Affairs will make the arrangements that are necessary to enable the Panel to do so," the External Affairs Ministry said.

The Ministry has already conveyed this position through diplomatic channels, to the United Nations in New York.