Tuesday, 16 July 2013 01:15
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An EU Parliamentary delegation arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday on an official visit, the EU office in Colombo said.
The delegation led by Jean Lambert, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South Asia, will travel to the North during their one week visit. Officials told the Colombo Gazette that the EU delegation will have meetings with the government, opposition and other groups during their stay. The visit by the EU delegation comes as provincial council polls are scheduled to be held in the North in September.
The government has yet to announce if EU monitors will be invited for the election. The EU, had earlier this year, said it wants an independent investigation and evaluation into the final years of the war in Sri Lanka, in addition to the national enquiries. Lambert had said that the EU remains concerned about reports of threats and attacks on human rights defenders and journalists in Sri Lanka, and encourages authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
The European Parliament had also passed a resolution ahead of the UN Human Rights Council session in March, re-emphasising the need for accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. (Colombo Gazette)
