MP pulls out of SL trip over UN inquiry-report

14 April 2014 05:45 am - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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British MP Sharon Hodgson, who is one of the MPs who canceled their planned visit to Sri Lanka, has said that she decided to cancel her visit on hearing the country’s government was refusing to co-operate with the UN inquiry, Sunderlandecho.com reported.

The representative for Washington and Sunderland West was due to travel to the country on an all-costs-covered visit, supported by the Foundation of Goodness, founded by cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan.

A Labour Party spokesperson initially denied any knowledge of the proposed trip, but Mrs Hodgson confirmed she had been due to visit but cancelled on hearing the country’s government was refusing to co-operate with the UN inquiry.

She said: “I was due to visit Sri Lanka with a legitimate, Tamil-led non-government organisation working to rebuild villages in the north of the island after the civil war.

“I have a long-standing interest in seeking justice for those who have been the victim of war crimes and human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, and was a co-signatory to a letter in 2010 calling for an independent, international inquiry into them.

“I was, therefore, delighted when the UN resolved to do just that last month. However, when comments from the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister earlier this week were brought to my attention, indicating that the Government would refuse to co-operate with such an inquiry, I took advice from colleagues and decided to withdraw from the delegation.”

The bowler is an ethnic Tamil and has come under fire for his support of the Sri Lankan Government, which last week said it would refuse to co-operate with a United Nations inquiry into alleged war crimes and continued human rights abuse.

A group of Labour and Tory MPs and their partners were due to fly out to Sri Lanka to meet senior Government ministers and officials, including President Mahinda Rajapasksa, who is accused of being responsible for war crimes.

However, the Labour members – Mrs Hodgson and Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn, who represents the Boldons – withdrew from the trip after an intervention by a senior Labour front-bencher, who said the visit would be too controversial in light of the UN inquiry.

It has been said the group had been planning to travel without informing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka.

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Comments - 29

Gamini Monday, 14 April 2014 08:58 AM

Dear Sharon & other Englishmen,
when you all come we Sri Lanka have always have second thoughts because now you all are invading countries not using arms like in the past but very friendly manner. Pl read your literature in history how your grandpas killed thousands of Sri Lankans & got all the valuables to you all. You people came here & destroyed not only in one aspect but the entire country socially, economically, most importantly creating communal problems such as up country Tamils & homeland in northern part which detrimental to the majority Singhalese as well as to the minorities who lives outside. So we are not a country under UK any more. best business is mind your own

Ranjith Wednesday, 16 April 2014 03:04 PM

Ur trying to create

proud SL Tuesday, 15 April 2014 09:19 AM

Good on you don't come cuz you all are not welcome. brainless people Do anything to stay in power

patriot Tuesday, 15 April 2014 10:09 AM

Where the Bloody Hell were you - when suicide bombers were on the rampage ??? via DM Android App

Samitha Silva Tuesday, 15 April 2014 04:28 AM

Good Show. More to Come.

Ratan Tuesday, 15 April 2014 04:22 AM

Oh someone spoilt your paid vacation. Anyway, Your country has gone to the dogs. Don't come.

NJ Tuesday, 15 April 2014 07:32 AM

I'm sure you have enough terror in the UK to tackle. If you need advice on how to tackle terrorism give us a call but please don't come. via DM Android App

Banda Monday, 14 April 2014 05:10 PM

Oh dear me, don't tell me you have bought that that 'drink spiking' propaganda by your government.

rosebud Monday, 14 April 2014 10:02 PM

Whoever asked you to visit SL to poke your unwanted nose around here must have had a motive. The GOSL should investigate that motive. via DM Android App

jinadasa Monday, 14 April 2014 09:33 PM

Yes .DONT COME .We don't need you AT ALLLLLL via DM iPad app

Asanka Monday, 14 April 2014 08:54 PM

You people better not come here. We are well off without terrorist sympathisers.. via DM Android App

perera Monday, 14 April 2014 12:52 PM

a last minute wise decision.
stay away please

billy Monday, 14 April 2014 09:33 AM

will she do the same for her own UK as well since UK also refusing to corporate on international criminal court investigation on iraq war crimes?..hypocrisy of the self appointed righteous

jim pappa Monday, 14 April 2014 09:19 AM

Sharon who ? Hogwash ?

jim pappa Monday, 14 April 2014 09:18 AM

Just like Navi, Ca moron and co., you seem to have formed an opinion on hearsay. Your type of idiots are not welcome here, Sharon, notwithstanding our love for Murali.

been Monday, 14 April 2014 11:32 AM

who do u think u are.....what a joke...this is the 1st time I have seen u...it won't make that of a different if u come or not...... via DM Android App

SL Monday, 14 April 2014 08:53 AM

How can people ,who never visited Sri Lanka during the hype of the war and Never knew our suffering , decide on us?
No one was there for us when so many suicide bombs were blasted on the streets, busses, trains killing innocence .

we do not want intruders with hidden agendas to come here with crocodile tears .
come clean you are very well welcomed !!

ABC Monday, 14 April 2014 02:23 PM

How is your visit benifit to us? Stay away when you already have a bias conclusion. via DM Android App

Keith Wijesuriya Monday, 14 April 2014 02:12 PM

Much appreciated. Don't require politically loaded visits with unfair and biaised agendas. Please remain in the UK and sort out your issues. We'll handle ours, thank you. via DM Android App

gali Monday, 14 April 2014 08:36 AM

Its not srilanka that should be investigated,where were these countries when innocent people were massacered for 30 years investigate for 30 years,the laeders and countries who are supporting should wear undergarments.we are proud a handfull of srilankans have held the so called superpowers at ransom,u they came on assylum and have now conquered they will group in those countries and reach u all a lesson,wake up and act fast dont betray the people of your country for ur benefits.

Buddhika Monday, 14 April 2014 01:41 PM

We don't want you . First go to Iraq , Siriya , Libiya and Vietnam . US army destroy women in daylight . They rape our girls . Go and investigate those first . In Sri Lanka only tangalle PS chairman raped a Russian girl and killed her man .

Chinthaka Nugegodage Monday, 14 April 2014 01:37 PM

Sri Lanka does not want sympathizers . We want people who have container loads of heroine or cocaine . We don't want investigation . We will do our own investigation . Thank youuuu

dias Monday, 14 April 2014 07:44 AM

Very Good don't come

shan Monday, 14 April 2014 07:44 AM

Resign from your MP post also for the blunders you British do.

Aidworker Monday, 14 April 2014 12:31 PM

Thank you very much for not coming. Instead we recommend you visit Rwanda or Central African Country. via DM iPad app

roshan Monday, 14 April 2014 12:13 PM

no matter we dont welcome tigers and their supporters via DM Android App

Renuka Monday, 14 April 2014 12:11 PM

Better not to come. Never welcome such people. via DM iPad app

Mad Cow Monday, 14 April 2014 12:10 PM

We don t give a shit.. Do u hear us? Not a shit ....

Chanaka Monday, 14 April 2014 11:32 AM

big deal! come during November to April during season of best beaches. via DM Android App

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MP pulls out of SL trip over UN inquiry-report

Comments - 29

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