Britain waiting for SL’s word on preventing sexual violence

1 December 2013 01:18 am - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Britain said that it is awaiting Sri Lanka’s reply on whether the latter will support the issue of preventing sexual violence in conflict.

In response to a Parliamentarian in the British Parliament, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague said, “I discussed with the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka specific support for our initiative, and we await their reply on whether they will support it.”

The full statement on Sri Lanka:

“On Sri Lanka, yes we secured the commitment in the Commonwealth communiqué, which I have to point out we could not have done had we not been there. While I was in Sri Lanka, I also gave a public speech on preventing sexual violence in conflict that was widely reported in the Sri Lankan media—on the television and across the newspapers—so I think we drew the attention of a far wider audience in Sri Lanka to this subject. I discussed with the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka specific support for our initiative, and we await their reply on whether they will support it. Of course, there are aspects that the Sri Lankan Government will find difficult to sign up to, which is why it is important to put it to them and to continue putting it to them. We can only do that, however, if we meet them, which we would not have done had we followed the right hon. Gentleman’s advice.”

“…we have made an impact on this issue in Sri Lanka that we could not have made otherwise, particularly in the speech—[Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman says that I am misrepresenting the position, but we understood the Opposition to be saying that we should not go to Sri Lanka. If we had not been to Sri Lanka, we would not have been able to do anything of this: to secure the communiqué; to make a speech on sexual violence to raise the issue with the Sri Lankan Government and to have coverage all over the Sri Lankan media. So Opposition Members can shake their heads or stick them in the sand, but the effect is the same. The answer is that I am comfortable that we did the right thing to raise this issue in a big way in Sri Lanka,” he said.

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Comments - 17

Janaki Kalansuriya Sunday, 01 December 2013 05:57 AM

People. Don't go on the defensive. We women need all the protection we can get. I'm on edge until I see the faces of my children after work, at night. My neighbors daughter was attacked a few months ago in Colombo 6 around 6.30pm and the culprit is still at large. Why go far? The PS Chairman is out on bail to carry on regardless. Will you send the ladies in your family out of sight???

sami Monday, 02 December 2013 03:07 PM

those who done crimes want to bring internation court punish

Haka Haka Monday, 02 December 2013 04:51 AM

Foreigners are mainly raped and murdered in SL, that is why tourists are fearful of coming to SL.

clueless Sunday, 01 December 2013 10:06 AM

Hmmm interesting subject, we are all for the protecting the ladies of our families.

an s !!!kith udugama Sunday, 01 December 2013 09:21 AM

In 1818 in Uva province British soldiers even molested cows

an s !!!kith udugama Sunday, 01 December 2013 09:19 AM

They do rape women out side Britain

Prof Wickramatillake Sunday, 01 December 2013 08:11 AM

Whats wrong with these guys? He should start with India.

Don Simon Sunday, 01 December 2013 07:58 AM

We have no conflict in the Country so that the requirement would not applicable to Sri Lanka. Perhaps this is applicable to UK as they involved in Afghan war and covert operations in Syria.

Suq Madique Sunday, 01 December 2013 07:06 AM

The UK is taking hypocrisy to a whole new level.

Gamarala Sunday, 01 December 2013 02:08 AM

Why not ask the UK to sign this as they were the ones who committed sexual violence in Iraq.

suren Sunday, 01 December 2013 05:51 AM

British raped so many Uva province women in 1818 rebellion,
even in their country they have raped so many Irish women for just for the reason of Irish standing up for the freedom

ind Sunday, 01 December 2013 05:40 AM

There were no sexual violence took place in here at the conflict. All these are bogus stories to justify their asylum visas.

an s !!!kith udugama Sunday, 01 December 2013 05:07 AM

No Sex Please We are British !!!

Teacher Sunday, 01 December 2013 04:18 AM

It is amazing that Britain is trying to tell Sri Lanka about abuse to women! Is this a joke? Mr. Haig, please get your house in order

Neutral thinker Sunday, 01 December 2013 04:14 AM

Mr. Hague, No thanks. Our military will do the investigation and give you a report.

Perumal Sunday, 01 December 2013 03:58 AM

Sexual violence whether in conflict or otherwise is a minor offence in Sri Lanka. Check on recent cases involving foreign victims if necessary.

vcvxcxvcvx Sunday, 01 December 2013 02:36 AM

sort out your own military rapings mr hague

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Britain waiting for SL’s word on preventing sexual violence

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