UK 'concerned'

14 September 2010 05:42 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The British government has expressed concern over the continuing human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Alistair Burt, Minister for the Middle East and South Asia in the Coalition government, told the Westminster parliament today that the government was aware of the ground situation in Sri Lanka.

"Human rights issues, particularly freedom of expression, concerns of the media have been raised," he said answering an oral question by an opposition MP.

The minister, however, added that the situation have improved "to a degree" after the conflict with the Tamil Tigers ended.

"But the issue if that just how far does this go and that is why we are pressing on the government of Sri Lanka, if it meant what it said at the end of the conflict in terms of reconciliation then we all have to see practise on the ground rather than just words," he added.

The minister also said that the UK government is continuing a dialogue with the Sri Lanka government, as well as the NGOs including the UNHCR, over the plight of remaining internally displaced (IDPs) people in the camps.

Nearly 25,000 Tamil IDPs, out of over 300,000, are estimated to be still in the camps. "The UK government has spent 13.5 million pounds to support IDPs," Minister Burt added.

However, the UK government said that it is concerned about the "clampdown" on the NGO activity with the IDPs. (BBC Sinhala)

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Comments - 8

rosh Tuesday, 14 September 2010 06:00 PM

So what ???

harry Tuesday, 14 September 2010 09:24 PM

How about staging a protest in front of British High Commission and our minister Wimal Weerawansa to lead the protest?

Bandaraa. Wednesday, 15 September 2010 12:28 AM

Well Srilanka is no longer a colony of the U.K. That is why we will not allow your N.GO.'s to work according to your agenda to destabilize this nation.

Percy Mandawala Wednesday, 15 September 2010 12:55 AM

Do not expect any improvement hereafter, it will go bad to worst.

Dayaratne Wednesday, 15 September 2010 01:46 AM

Any Brit's Government comment is bound to trigger outrage, and both the arguments and language of comments that are to follow are boringly predictable. But all government leaders have dreams of British education for their progeny. MR has three sons. The school they attended has now got its second successive Brit Principal - the first local born, the present a white priest from Eton!
We want their culture and their assistance, but cannot give thought to what they say. Hypocrisy!

ajith Wednesday, 15 September 2010 01:59 AM

Before going any further perhaps the UK would like to deny categorically that they never extrajudicially killed any members of the IRA?

That would justify their indignation.

ranjith Wednesday, 15 September 2010 02:06 AM

We are also concern about the human right situation in Iraq, Afganistan, the mass distruction conducted by US/UK armies in these countries. We also like UK to return the wealth robbed such as statue of Tara Devi etc.

kandyboy Wednesday, 15 September 2010 03:44 AM

" The UK government has spent 13.5 million pounds to support IDPs" well 90% of this amout they would have given to the LTTE.

During a period of 18 months government has resettled 275,000 IDPs and only 25,000 remain in camps. Why are these people so cut up with this ? 92% of the IDPs have been resettled and they are complaining about the 8% ??

These people would be also resettled in no time. UK is just trying to bully SL, and not taking about what good has happened. How many IDPs are still in camps in Afgenistan and Iraq ? and its been years since the war has been over.

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UK 'concerned'

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