Monday, 3 February 2014 01:52
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The Government has hit out against visiting US envoy Nisha Biswal and Washington, claiming their allegations that Sri Lanka’s human rights situation had worsened were ‘patently unfair’ and smacked of a preconceived agenda.
A Spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs said it was evident from this visit and that which preceded from the US, as well as intrusive behaviour by other representatives of that country, that there was a desire to believe the worst of Sri Lanka and seek to build on that premise to justify punitive action against the country.
“The claims, be it on the pace of implementation of the LLRC, allegations of religious intolerance or insufficient progress in addressing reconciliation and accountability, are unsubstantiated,” the EAM Spokesman said.
The Ministry Spokesman called the latest allegation of religious intolerance “grossly disproportionate and politically motivated. “It is well known that many of the facilities for religious worship which have been targeted are those operating in violation of the guidelines governing the establishment of these places. It has generally been found that these incidents have been a reaction on the part of the community resident in those areas. Attributing blame to the government is totally unwarranted,” the Ministry said.
“As a sovereign state and one of Asia’s oldest democracies, Sri Lanka does not wish to be dictated to by others in the international community in the conduct of its internal affairs,” the spokesman said.
