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)