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Govt says Swiss authorities must respect Sri Lanka’s sovereignty

18 December 2019 07:24 am - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government yesterday urged Swiss authorities to respect the Sri Lankan law and the sovereignty of the nation and assured that investigations into allegations of the Swiss embassy employee were ongoing without political interference.

Cabinet Spokesperson, Ramesh Pathirana told Daily Mirror that despite the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) releasing a statement which raised concerns over the investigations, Sri Lankan law enforcement officers had followed the due process.

"The government has stayed away from this investigation and is allowing the law to take its course. The embassy employee herself has issued contradictory statements to the CID, so we will allow the probe to continue. All nations must respect Sri Lanka as a sovereign nation," Pathirana said.

Furthermore, the Minister said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had, in a discussion, informed the Swiss Ambassador in Colombo that the alleged abduction of the Swiss embassy employee had been fabricated just to tarnish the image of the government. He further assured that the bilateral relations between Switzerland and Sri Lanka would not be harmed in any manner despite these false allegations.

Hours after the Swiss Embassy employee was arrested by the CID on Monday on charges fabricating false statement, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs criticised the lack of due process in the case saying the FDFA expects the Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities to comply with national law and international judicial standards and to ensure that the employee's rights are now better protected.

“The FDFA has repeatedly called for due process to be followed. In particular, the FDFA has criticised the 30-hour interrogation to which the employee was subjected over three days despite being in poor health and the public statements by senior Sri Lankan officials questioning her account before the investigations had been completed.”

As an employer, the FDFA calls on the Sri Lankan authorities to meet their obligations under applicable law and give due consideration to the employee's poor state of health. Switzerland wishes to emphasise that in this high-profile case Sri Lanka's reputation as a country that upholds the rule of law is at stake. The FDFA and the Swiss Embassy in Colombo will continue to support their employee as far as possible, the FDFA said. (JAMILA HUSAIN)


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  Comments - 16

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  • Mm Wednesday, 18 December 2019 08:14 AM

    We saw the way some Swiss man was hugging that woman! Nonsense

    Ups Wednesday, 18 December 2019 08:21 AM

    This uncivilized mission and it's officials is a shame to that well known beautiful country called Switzerland,this local lady seems to be only a scapegoat,this infamous coup seems done under the roof of this misson,shame on you dirty fellows

    PN Jayadeva Wednesday, 18 December 2019 08:28 AM

    Is interfering in the affairs of sovereign states

    Jude Wednesday, 18 December 2019 08:43 AM

    Swiss authorities went too far with this absurdly RIDICULOUS Melodrama!!!

    BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 18 December 2019 08:51 AM

    Sovereignty

    Maha Wednesday, 18 December 2019 09:00 AM

    Few months back there were serious allegations of Sri Lankan women working in the American Embassy in Colombo being sexually harasses by Americans working in the Embassy. Even though it was very serious, government of the day, UNP , failed to take any action at all. How this present government would have behaved differently if it had been in power. Now only we have a brave leader who can stand up to the West.

    Haramanis Wednesday, 18 December 2019 09:04 AM

    The Swiss were Nazi collaborators and to this date hold billions of dollars worth of stolen Jewish property. They also betrayed and persecuted the Jews. Now they claim sainthood!!

    Lanka Appuhamy Wednesday, 18 December 2019 09:20 AM

    This is not enough. Sri Lanka should assert that Swiss Authorities' activities in the 12 days span were violation of international standards and Vienna convention. Hiding the alleged victim inside their embassy for 12 days when it was reported that the victim said to have been subjected to sexual abuse is a stark violation of international standards.

    namal Wednesday, 18 December 2019 10:34 AM

    eka paratama ohoma une aei...... ginnak nathuwa dumak naginne na............................. ali baba ha horu rala............

    B.K.Jayasundera Wednesday, 18 December 2019 10:40 AM

    The ambassador has no right to keep the employee's mobile phone in his custody with the intention of preventing CID investigations.

    Ajantha Wednesday, 18 December 2019 11:03 AM

    When criminal rules a country n people too support this is a normal thing always anywhere in da worlds. Wait what extent this will go up to.

    kudson Wednesday, 18 December 2019 11:11 AM

    looks like the spin DJ,s are busy LOL should have used grease yakka's to do the job silva must be ROFL with his middle toe signal to greco and his band of wall painters in colombo

    tim Wednesday, 18 December 2019 11:31 AM

    One time defense Chandiya is now on the Top Post and now is Chandi Lokka. Anything and everything you bring against will be used against you. All what you could do is now to make sure the poor lady comes out in one piece.

    cheers Wednesday, 18 December 2019 11:38 AM

    Hats off to the President who stood firm to say this to them. High time we say this

    Lankan Wednesday, 18 December 2019 12:09 PM

    Stupidity is in it's highest order. Swiss embassy in Sri Lanka carried out their dirty politics to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka in highly controversial manner and they want to investigate to the international standards. What a hypocrisy.

    Ronnie Bugger Wednesday, 18 December 2019 01:01 PM

    It would look like this entire fiasco has turned into a right royal soup.


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