Ex-Australian PM backs call for Sri Lanka war crimes investigation

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has supported calls for an international investigation into allegations of widespread war crimes during the civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers.

Fraser added his voice to the calls for investigations when Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Australia ahead of Friday's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth.

"'There ought to be a proper investigation and if that leads to indictments before the International Criminal Court or the War Crimes Tribunal, so be it," the Age quoted Fraser, as saying.

Fraser was also critical of Australia's lack of support for an international investigation.

He said the Gillard government appeared to be more interested in ensuring partnership with Rajapaksa to prevent Tamil asylum seekers coming to Australia, than it was in ensuring that claims of war crimes were properly investigated.

'"If the government is taking a very soft approach in this matter because of its concern about asylum seekers, I think it is again forgetting what it ought to be doing," he added.