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UK respects right to protest

15 June 2012 12:24 pm - 67     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Responding to the allegations of the Sri Lankan government who  charged that the law enforcement authority in the UK had failed in its duty, spokesman for the British High Commission Sarah Mann said that Britain respects the legitimate right of its citizens to protest.  “ We respect the legitimate right of UK citizens to protest, but this has to be balanced with the right to free speech” she said.

Speaking on the cancellation of the proposed speech by President Rajapaksha at the Commonwealth Business Council, the spokesman said that the cancellation was not a government decision “ This was not a government decision: CBC is independent.  CBC took its decision after careful consideration of the potential impact that large-scale policing of the protests would have had on the City and we respect that decision. ” she said. (Hafeel Farisz)

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  Comments - 67

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  • Sumedha Saturday, 16 June 2012 10:57 AM

    DJ...that will probably even result in sanctions and drone strikes. Those bastards are two-faced.

    Galu Putha Saturday, 16 June 2012 08:33 PM

    UK citizens has right to protest and government will not fire at them

    If srilankan government fire at thier citizens in protests, dont expect that to happen in other countries

    T.Ruth Saturday, 16 June 2012 06:33 PM

    If SL govt could force govt servants to protest against UN in Colombo what is wrong with protest in London?

    Richardson Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:18 PM

    Kolikuttu Kiuwoth booru kathawak.

    Union Saturday, 16 June 2012 01:19 PM

    I heard Sri Lankan convey hit by eggs too and they were forced to travel without the Sri Lankan flag in their vehicle. Is this throwing eggs is acceptableby to UK?

    Sisitha Saturday, 16 June 2012 11:27 AM

    UK had proved that they maintain the freedom for their citizen but Mr.Rajapaksa can give freedom to talk and express their views in his country?

    Siri Saturday, 16 June 2012 11:23 AM

    Sarah Mann is clearly talking rubbish. We've heard that “ We respect the legitimate right..... blah blah blah" countless times. So if Al Qaeda fans hold a demonstration with flags and the works in the heart of London it's alright is it? No? Why not? LTTE and AQ are both labelled as terrorists and and banned in UK and in many states.

    silva Saturday, 16 June 2012 09:05 AM

    who is terrorist killing innocent citizens or fighting for freedom

    Realist Saturday, 16 June 2012 05:29 AM

    Freedom to Protest doesn't include freedom to support a banned terrorist organisation with waving flags and baying cries.This simply shows double standards of English and your hatred towards Rajapaksha is more than your love for country.

    knowthegame Saturday, 16 June 2012 05:25 AM

    Yes, yes. Thanx also for getting involved in Sri Lankan Police affairs.

    DJ Saturday, 16 June 2012 05:07 AM

    Yeah let them protest in UK.. let them block roads in UK.. let them be a nuisance to the UK general public.. let them be trouble makers in UK.. let them be assylum seekers who jump the que in UK.. let them steal credit card money in UK.. let them deal drugs in UK.. let them be human smugglers in UK..blah..blah. But thank God this toilet scum is no more in Sri Lanka!!

    DJ Saturday, 16 June 2012 05:06 AM

    Better carryout ligitimate protests minus terrorist leader's photos and flags. Till it is done Tamil protestors = Tamil Tiger terrorists!!

    DJ Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:59 AM

    Well said dude.. But shall we plan a protest agaist UK with Al-Qaeda flags and members?? And the response from UK. would be."UK govt deeply regrets about the recent protests in Colombo and expect GoSL to take actions to avoid such situations in future".blah..blah.. Any bet we can justify this saying it is freedom of expression??!! Double standard of highest order!!

    senthil Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:39 AM

    yes Nadesan we can see ample evidence of how the country is run and progressing, and how people vote from this high literacy that you imagine exists.
    If second to Japan why is SL no where near comaprison to Japan and will never be

    anish Sunday, 17 June 2012 04:13 PM

    LTTE is a freedom fighting organisation. Idiots living in wells like frogs.

    Doug Sunday, 17 June 2012 04:02 PM

    SHAME ON YOU SARAH MANN. (SUPPORTING WORLD RUTHLESS LTTE TERRORIST GROUP) I MEAN THEY MAY NOT BE HUMAN.

    DJ Sunday, 17 June 2012 10:36 AM

    But not now that Tamil terrorists are no more!!

    TMA Sunday, 17 June 2012 10:03 AM

    Actually they protest with slogans like 'Death to the West' inside UK. No arrests, live bullets or tear gas

    DJ Sunday, 17 June 2012 09:52 AM

    But not now that Tamil terrorists are no more!!

    TMA Sunday, 17 June 2012 09:54 AM

    In UK there's no restriction 2 wave flags. There R even Satanic churches there

    Jeewan Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:22 AM

    Ho! Ho!....right to protest and right to free speech.. and striking the right balance....typical way of evading...a taste of western justice system

    DJ Sunday, 17 June 2012 05:34 AM

    UK will release police dogs and batton charge and arrest protestors like in London protests, but not at Tamil terrorist protests!!

    Luntamoose Sunday, 17 June 2012 02:26 AM

    Very true. It's all media driven pin pong match. Looks like they are still trying to hold on to their devide and rule policy.

    Luntamoose Sunday, 17 June 2012 02:24 AM

    Would love to see if These were Alquida flags the same freedom of speech would exist or there would be another phone scandal to the so called British free media.... What a joke

    Laksmansingh Sunday, 17 June 2012 12:19 AM

    Why are LTTE terrorists proscribed by the world allowed demonstrate? It it because they support people like Sarah Mann and UK politicians at the ballot box, with the terrorist illegal money from extortion?

    haran Sunday, 17 June 2012 12:09 AM

    yes in srilanka only bombs are allowed to throw but in uk only egg or tomato is allowed. this is a democracy

    Manik Saturday, 16 June 2012 10:53 PM

    Well said Sarah Mann especially in view of what happened at the JVP meeting at Katuwana. Keep tracking what is going on in this "Miracle of Asia"

    raju Saturday, 16 June 2012 08:40 PM

    but defferent purpose.... they don't compare ltte with aq.... but they compare it with hamas...because of the motive of the organization...

    Dalu banda Friday, 15 June 2012 01:20 PM

    What the Minister Weerawansa has to say about this?

    channa Friday, 15 June 2012 03:34 PM

    So These terrorist supporters can wave LTTE flags, which is an banned organisation in UK. How pathetic.

    Frank Hilary Friday, 15 June 2012 03:32 PM

    I fully endorse the views expressed by "freelanka". Freedom of Expression is sacred.

    Barath Friday, 15 June 2012 03:28 PM

    Imperialism.

    .

    chen Friday, 15 June 2012 02:59 PM

    We are very grateful to UK government for allowing Tamils to protest

    Dadoriya Friday, 15 June 2012 02:51 PM

    Mother of democracy.

    pee da mossa Friday, 15 June 2012 02:35 PM

    Tell me Sarah, would your government respect the IRA's or Taliban's or Al Quida's sympathizers' right to protest even if they happen to be British citizens?

    Chandana A Friday, 15 June 2012 02:23 PM

    GIVE IT A TRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Nodrog Friday, 15 June 2012 01:14 PM

    Does the UK also respect the right to display the flag of a banned terrorist organization at these protests? Will Muslims be allowed to display an Al Queda flag?

    terror Friday, 15 June 2012 03:47 PM

    You mean thanks UK for allowing LTTE terrorist supporters to protest.

    hello Friday, 15 June 2012 01:07 PM

    When will SL Govt spokesmen learn? Outside world don't buy SL trying to connect legitimate protests with terrorism.

    Dinithi Friday, 15 June 2012 01:08 PM

    Protesting is fine. Protesting with LTTE flags, flag of a banned terrorist group, is the problem.

    Sam Friday, 15 June 2012 01:00 PM

    Kehellella, hoooo......

    S.K Friday, 15 June 2012 12:59 PM

    UK Tamils like other Tamils all over the world are hard working British citizens. Thay have legitimate right to protest and the protests are always peaceful.

    NelumK Friday, 15 June 2012 12:52 PM

    Ha ha! what a nice 'Slap' on Sri Lankan face of democracy of freedom of speech and right to protest! Hope our government learns a lesson of the importance of all protests and freedom of the civilians to voice their opinion and ban it's white van from existence!

    vinci Friday, 15 June 2012 12:47 PM

    whatever dude.

    freelanka Friday, 15 June 2012 12:51 PM

    Good response! Just because the Government of Sri Lanka and friends thinks it's alright to hit their citizens with water cannons and tear gas, live bullets and whips when they are peacefully protesting, doesnt mean the rest of the civilised world acts the same way.

    aj Friday, 15 June 2012 12:45 PM

    Thanks UK

    Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 15 June 2012 03:47 PM

    Hope this statement would at least help to refresh the minds of our politicians that there is a thing called "freedom to protest" in a Democracy.

    Rattapakse Friday, 15 June 2012 03:45 PM

    Specially they don't have white vans...

    Richardson Friday, 15 June 2012 04:41 PM

    What a donkey, U K is not a banana Republic
    MR is no god for them Mr. Kolikuttu Keheliya

    Vas Friday, 15 June 2012 04:50 PM

    Good reply by UK. Lankans will never learn.

    Doug Friday, 15 June 2012 05:00 PM

    What a shame democracy in UK.surporting LTTE TERRORIST. (CH4,BBC NGO AND THE GOVERNMENT) SAFE HEAVEN FOR LTTE. ONEDAY THEY WILL GET EELAM IN UK NEVER IN SL.

    VW Friday, 15 June 2012 05:08 PM

    Your first sentence is correct. But protests are not peaceful always. The right to protest does not include carrying the flag of a banned ruthless terrorist organization

    Minister Friday, 15 June 2012 05:08 PM

    Hats off for this statement!

    Kumar Friday, 15 June 2012 05:15 PM

    Good , Why not allow Al Qaeda supporters to do the same in London.

    Roi Friday, 15 June 2012 05:54 PM

    UK has more terrorists than any other country in the world.

    locksy Friday, 15 June 2012 06:16 PM

    then what about waving Al Queda flags and protesting in London? Is that allowed. Both are banned terrorist organizations in UK?????

    Nadesan aiyar Friday, 15 June 2012 06:25 PM

    Thanks Man(n). You are a real man. If the American president had been there it woUld have been the weighted balance. Who are you fooling. SL has has a literacy rate next to Japan, second in Asia

    Countryman Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:02 AM

    OK every one has the right to protest but without links of terrorists or it's supportive groups.

    Don Udawatte Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:07 AM

    Speach by MR at the Commonwealth Business Council, ha ha ! I am sure they did not miss anything.
    he he he

    Em Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:09 AM

    They actually don't have an official flag

    kangaroo2 Saturday, 16 June 2012 04:24 AM

    yes bro


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