Sri Lanka says it may take 5 years to bring suspects to trial in wartime abuse probes

Sri Lanka's government estimates it may take as long as five years to investigate and bring cases to trial in the alleged killings of civilians during the final stages of the country's civil war.

A government action plan released Thursday recommends that investigators conclude inquiries within a year, and gives a time frame of up to four additional years to start court proceedings.

Sri Lanka's government, which initially denied any abuses occurred, has come under intense international pressure to investigate allegations of summary executions, kidnappings and other abuses by troops ahead of their victory over separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009.

Presidential spokesman Lalitha Weeratunga told reporters the government's plan shows its keenness to move forward. Critics have accused the government of dragging its feet on the issue.