CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA 
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Deplorable security by Britain
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has declined an invitation to participate in the Commonwealth’s First World War Commemoration Service at the Glasgow Cathedral on August 4 on the basis of ‘deplorable security lapses’ by the British Government amid protests planned by pro-LTTE groups, Daily Mirror learns.It is learnt that External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris has written to Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport and Minister for Equalities informing him of the President’s inability to attend this event.
Government sources said the British Government extended the invitation to the President on June 24.
It has drawn attention to the demonstrations staged by the pro-LTTE diaspora groups during his previous visits to London. During the protests, demonstrators even threw bottles and drink cans at the motorcade including the car in which the President was travelling in.
The LTTE is banned in Britain and European Union. In its letter the government has expressed regret that this incident happened while the law enforcement authorities looked on, reflecting their inability to prevent such incidents. The Government said there was no such issue surrounding the main programme during the President’s visit to London in June 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Queen Elizabeth.
But the diaspora groups forced the organizers to cancel the programmes connected to the President’s engagements. Against this backdrop, the government sees possible plans by diaspora groups to demonstrate during the visit of the President in August. Therefore, the President has declined to accept this invitation. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, as Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth has reiterated to uphold the shared values of the organisation for the promotion of peace and stability. (Kelum Bandara)
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