Embassy cables revealed on Thursday show U.S. diplomats accused top Sri Lankan officials of involvement in the mass killings of Tamil Tiger rebels in the closing months of the 25-year civil war last year. A cable from January says Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other top officials were likely responsible for many alleged killings of Tamil rebels. The disclosure comes as Rajapaksa was forced to cancel a public appearance in Britain Thursday following protests from a Tamil group.

Protester: “These people are asking for justice. That’s what we’re asking. We want an independent international investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by President Rajapaksa and his government.”