Diplomat asks if he is under surveillance

8 March 2021 09:31 am - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Canadian diplomat was concerned how the private meeting got media coverage when there was no media outside the residence at the time

Aforeign diplomat in Colombo has asked if he is under surveillance after details of some visitors to his official residence were exposed in the media.

Canada’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, David Mckinnon tweeted asking if he was under surveillance after at least two newspapers published details of visitors to Canada House in Colombo 07.

Two newspapers had reported over the weekend that Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Tareq Ariful Islam had met David Mckinnon at Canada House.

While the diplomat refused to comment, sources told Daily Mirror the Canadian diplomat was concerned that the private meeting got media coverage when there was no media outside the residence at the time.

Local media had also reported that the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton had met South Korean Ambassador Woonjin Jeong.

Both Bangladesh and South Korea are members of the UN Human Rights Council.

The UN Human Rights Council will be taking a vote on a resolution on Sri Lanka later this month. Canada and the UK are part of a Core Group on Sri Lanka which is seeking support for the resolution.

Just recently the European Union (EU) had raised concerns in Geneva over intensified surveillance in Sri Lanka.

In a statement made at the UN Human Rights Council during the ongoing 46th Session, the EU said it was concerned about intensified surveillance and intimidation, particularly of human rights defenders and victims. (EASWARAN RUTNAM)

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Comments - 30

RoaringCreek Monday, 08 March 2021 10:08 AM

Gota and Sarth are just fallen into a sceptic tank.

Jude Monday, 08 March 2021 10:16 AM

Here's something ironic, former Canadian PM Harper Boycotted 2014 Commonwealth heads meeting in Colombo reasoning that 2009 final phase accountability issue!! Then the same PM Harper attended in 2012 a french-speaking summit in Republic of Congo aka "killing fields" of Africa, 'Coz mineral resources RICH Congo already dealing with mining heavy Canadian companies!! Congo human rights situation appalling!! Moreover, PM Harper cut some business deals with Congo military junta during THAT visit !! Huh!! Hello, WHAT KIND OF HYPOCRISY IS THIS !!?? Woof !!

Punchi Banda Monday, 08 March 2021 10:16 AM

Every action has a reaction. UK

Mokan Monday, 08 March 2021 10:31 AM

This is really scarey. Getting worse than China.

FF Monday, 08 March 2021 10:35 AM

WHY. DONT YOU LIKE OUR SECURITY SYSTEM?

RoaringCreek Monday, 08 March 2021 10:39 AM

This is the result of election people who have no experience in International and local politics. The voters are to be blamed for this.

Jude Monday, 08 March 2021 10:45 AM

Nowadays social media very active !! And we can tell you the colour of the socks you were wearing for the meeting! Yeah!!

Sandy Monday, 08 March 2021 10:49 AM

These western diplomats can't bring any development to poor countries, but meddle to create trouble

Siribiris Monday, 08 March 2021 10:52 AM

Possible . Person heading country is a capable man doing such things .

Lankan Monday, 08 March 2021 10:58 AM

Clearly, the High Commissioners are stepping outside of their mandate. The Sri Lankan government should take an appropriate action.

Saranga W Monday, 08 March 2021 11:07 AM

Kick him out

Sokrates Monday, 08 March 2021 11:39 AM

How its look like, many commentators are goons of the criminal dictatorial regime in this country.

Senaka Monday, 08 March 2021 11:41 AM

There is nothing to amaze. That's how so many people disappeared during troubled times. It's a common practice in Sri Lanka and people love it. That's why they voted them wholeheartedly.

Pathetic Monday, 08 March 2021 11:49 AM

See how efficient we are.

Ronnie Bugger Monday, 08 March 2021 12:26 PM

Get the security guard on duty at the time and there you will find the answer.

ding ding bell Monday, 08 March 2021 12:32 PM

Gota is sniffing all the diplomats in SL Military Government

Classified Monday, 08 March 2021 12:49 PM

Jude Monday, 08 March 2021 10:16 AM Above comment covers it all - thanks.

Sashi Monday, 08 March 2021 12:51 PM

All foreign diplomats and NGOs should be under surveillance! Don't ask it; assume it! Isn't that what happens in all rich democracies to safeguard their national security? Why should Sri Lanka not do the same?

ravin Monday, 08 March 2021 01:52 PM

We simply called it tit for tat.

Bandu Monday, 08 March 2021 02:55 PM

Surveillance of foreign embassies is standard practice in almost every country. To even imagine USA Russia China UK et al do not keep tabs is ridiculous. Even in Turkey, they knew how Kosshoggi went nito the Saudi Embassy.

sarath Monday, 08 March 2021 03:38 PM

Hi Sandy, It is not the job of a western diplomat to bring development to third world countries. We have elected a government for that purposes and it is they who have let us down.

John Smith Monday, 08 March 2021 03:42 PM

It is our right to make surveillance if it warrants because we have to look after ourselves when nobody else would. If you from Canada can't stand that, get out for God sake!

Mandayan Monday, 08 March 2021 04:07 PM

Yes, mate, since one of you hijacked a police officer to Swiss, we are on the alert!

Disillusioned Monday, 08 March 2021 04:44 PM

@Mandayan, totally the oposite : he fled to Switzerland

Ruwan chan Monday, 08 March 2021 07:24 PM

It’s media freedom if it was happened in the west.

Sir Veil Lance Monday, 08 March 2021 07:51 PM

Not a New Normal.

Ramesh Monday, 08 March 2021 08:19 PM

Sri Lanka walks on the footsteps of China. You cannot expect anything different from what Chinese taught them. Remember two Michaels?

RP Monday, 08 March 2021 08:34 PM

Wow, some readers are cheering the adding fuel to the FIRE. The Diplomat has every right to find or field that question. Are we becoming a secretive spy state?

Male Dog Monday, 08 March 2021 08:41 PM

@Classified, I am not a fan of Harper but your comment on @Jude says something. Why does @Jude resort to Yeah, Huh, .....Woof....liberally peppered with ????, !!!! to make comments and you agree lock, stock and barrel. 2009 came and went. 2012 - was the so-called International Community in any way acting on Sri Lanka? I am not implying that Congo, once personally owned in his name by King Leopold of Belgium does not have blood all over its body, not just hands. Then only the 2014 Colombo Summit.by which time 5 years of triumphalism was the only action. The final Woof gives a clue.

D E Part Monday, 08 March 2021 10:32 PM

To prevent a native Red Indian attack on the embassy.

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Diplomat asks if he is under surveillance

Comments - 30

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