SL URGES STERN ACTION
Britain must implement its Terrorism Laws
The Sri Lankan Government has explained to the British Government the importance of implementing its Terrorism Laws and taking stern action against the four individuals who were arrested for displaying LTTE flags.
Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, who was in Britain had said this when he met Asia and Pacific Minister Mark Field at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.
The minister was referring to the recent incident where Thames Valley Police arrested four activists of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam for exhibiting LTTE flags and other insignia.
He said he hoped that British law enforcement authorities would ensure that Britain’s own Terrorism Laws were correctly observed and that stern action would be taken against appropriate individuals, as these acts by extremists go directly against the reconciliation processes being encouraged in Sri Lanka by the British government.
Sri Lanka’s UNHRC Resolution, which was co-sponsored with other nations including Britain, was also discussed and Minister Ranawaka was able to provide reassurance that through various reforms, including the establishment of independent commissions such as the Right To Information,the Offices of Missing Persons and Reparations that the Sri Lankan government was maintaining its commitment to ensure that all communities enjoyed lasting peace and reconciliation.
The others who participated at the meeting were BHC James Dauris, Acting Sri Lankan HC Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Special Advisor to the Megapolis & Western Development Ministry, Vidya Amarapala, plus Benjamin Cutmore from Britain’s Department of International Trade and Nick Mellors from the FCO’S South Asia Dept.
At a separate meeting in the House of Lords, Lord Naseby, President of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sri Lanka was also briefed by Minister Ranawaka on the preparations being discussed in Cabinet for the next UNHRC Geneva Sessions in March 2019.
Lord Naseby had stressed the need for Sri Lanka’s Government to adopt a firm stance and mentioned the importance of repealing the current Prevention of Terrorism Act and introducing fresh Counter Terrorism legislation as soon as possible.
The highlight of Minister Ranawaka’s visit was a London Investment forum that attracted a host of British and international companies and institutions to present the considerable business opportunities in Sri Lanka being offered through the implementation of the various Megapolis projects and especially the current development of Port City Colombo.
During his visit to Britain, Minister Ranawaka also held separate discussions with present and past parliamentarians with a strong
Sri Lanka interest including Lord Sheikh, Sir Tony Baldry and former international trade ministers Greg Hands MP and Mark Garnier MP.