Lanka suspicious over UK

31 March 2010 08:27 am - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Jamila Najmuddin

The Sri Lankan government has raised suspicion over the timing of British Foreign Secretary David Miliband’s special statement on Sri Lanka as it coincides with the General Elections scheduled to be held in the country next week.

Government Defence Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella rejected the concerns raised by Miliband in his special video statement released yesterday saying it seemed Britain was attempting to suppress the victories achieved by the Sri Lankan government against the LTTE.

“The UK is biased. The timing of this statement is very suspicious. Britain has been harping about Sri Lanka’s human rights record for a very long time. They have clearly planned this to suppress the victories of the government,” Minister Rambukwella said.

He further said that a special government delegation will be replying to Miliband’s statement shortly.

In a special video statement released by Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary said that there are three priorities which he has identified for the Sri Lankan government to address in the months and years to come.

Miliband said that he had raised these priorities at the meeting of the Global Tamil Forum which he had addressed in London last month.

“One of the things that is important to say is that I give the same message to you, the mixed audience, as I gave to the Global Tamil Forum. It is very important in the modern age that we give consistent messages to the audience. The first priority in Sri Lanka, concerns the renunciation of violence. It is through politics that social and economic change occurs and not through violence. Violence does not serve any of the communities in Sri Lanka,” Miliband said in his special statement.

The second priority, he said, concerns the social economic political rights of all Sri Lankans on an equal basis. “Many of you will be concerned for the run up to and after the recent Presidential Elections and also the restrictions on media freedom in Sri Lanka. It is very vital that we understand that a healthy democracy thrives not just through elections but also through an independent judiciary in an independent society,” Miliband said.

He added that the second set of rights which Sri Lanka should recognize is the development of constitutional norms that respects the equal rights of all of Sri Lankan citizens. “This is a challenging issue in any country but respect for minority rights is an absolutely vital part of the values that are essential to a civilized society,” he said.

Further addressing the suspension of the GSP+ trade benefits to Sri Lanka, Miliband said that the European Union wants to have an open and engaged trading relationship with Sri Lanka but have been forced to suspend the GSP+ provisions because of the absence of key human rights issues that have been raised by the European Commission. “I very much hope that in this period the Sri Lankan government will urgently address them,” Miliband said. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 30

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 11:49 AM

Mr. Miliband, you are half true and half untrue....

Thursday, 01 April 2010 06:34 PM

The government is lying to its citizens. If the UK employs double standards, the relationship with them should, at once, be terminated. Can our government do this? No! Our Ministers lie, lie and lie.

Thursday, 01 April 2010 12:27 AM

THIS MILIBAND SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN ANY PUBLICITY IN SRI LANKA. HE SHOULD BE IGNORED. ANYWAY, AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION, HE WILL BE HISTORY.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:43 PM

These may be 'conspiracies' or whatever, but what we should do is to 'clean-up' ourselves and try to foster a just and lawful society, so that no outsider can point his finger at us.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:25 PM

What Sri Lankans have to understand is that the world is watching, and that we are not alone. Take criticism in a constructive way, rather than blacklisting those who criticize.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 09:54 PM

Huh? Our 'politikkas' condemn UK politicians, in Sinhala. Our 'politikkas' also invite and pay UK politicians' expenses, in English. We Sri Lankans need to understand this game. We know English, and we know Sinhala, but don't know how to relate Sinhala to English. Our 'politikkas' take advantage of this and deceive us. Should we allow this to happen, forever?

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 08:11 PM

A jointly organized 'statement-drama' between the UK and Sri Lanka to fool the Sri Lankan people?

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 07:59 PM

Anyway, let Miliband enjoy his final days of fame ... adieu to you, very soon!

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 07:22 PM

Mr. Minister, Miliband has just said what is now happening in Sri Lanka.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 06:39 PM

Dear Editor, why do you publish the thoughts of jokers, as 'breaking news,' and insult both yours as well as the peoples' intelligence?

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 12:35 PM

Milliband should seriously consider running his own country. After all, Britain has more problems than we do with the Al Tee Hee Hee still active in London!

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 12:33 PM

Why should the government get wild if human rights are properly maintained in our country ?

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 12:18 PM

Ask yourself just how good our human right record is.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 11:55 AM

On 9th April Go and (R-I-P) Rest in PEace!

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 11:54 AM

truth is bitter-mr.miliband, pls ask GOSL to iron out these issues before offreing GSP++++ or what ever

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 09:59 AM

amy way whoever thinks against thedoings of the government
cannot be trrusted.

Whatever the govt.is doing is always correct and proper.

Where is Sri-lanka heading to "Gods Wishes"

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 11:25 AM

Here goes another conspiracy story. This government eats, drinks and lives on conspiracy stories. They seem to have a conspiracy story behind every story. Sad state of affairs.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 11:12 AM

DON'T BOW DOWN TO THIS RASCAL

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 11:09 AM

Either Miliband doesn't know English or Keheliya doesn't understand Miliband's English! What's wrong in those statements and it is nothing but the truth.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:46 AM

Who cares about UK jokers.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:45 AM

Milibands comments carry no weight to any srilankan otherthan few who wish to lick boots of white masters.
Majority srilankans were long emancipated from British and white mentality.
Forget him.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:40 AM

According to keheliya everyone are biased,jealous,conspiring etc. against us other than burma ,north korea,zimbawe

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:17 AM

Although I agree with the foreign secretary, the timing of these statements leaves much to be desired. The GOSL are making use of these statements to their advantage.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:15 AM

Srilankan Tamil do not care about BTF & CO

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:14 AM

Why don't we invite him to join the SL governement as the Nation Building Minister in the new parliament .He will be jobless after May UK elections anyway.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:14 AM

UK authorities should ban the cheap popularity people like Rambukwella , Weerawansa for entering UK any day., They are like parotts just say something to pacify the foolish srilankans.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:07 AM

Hey UK, make sure Sri Lanka forever be a poor nation and make sure that they ask for GSP +plus from you for many years to come. what a stupid weapon of shooting down our country by UK.

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:07 AM

Nobody is going to listen to your agenda after the General Elections MR Milliband, ... Please focus on reducing your public debt, otherwise all hell will break in the UK

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:04 AM

He will cease to exist as the Foreign Secretary from May this year. So he must be trying to secure some votes for him. SL Government should totally ignore him

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 10:02 AM

There is nothing wrong in Miliband's comments. Did he invite you for war? Y r u suspicious over UK cos of this comment?

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Lanka suspicious over UK

Comments - 30

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