Opp. Leader and North CM meet visiting British Minister

• Sampanthan appreciates work done, highlights the need to expedite land releases, scaling down military presence and  military engagement in economic activities 
• C. V stress the need for international involvement in war crimes investigation, claims no trust in domestic mechanism, raises issues faced by widows 

Opposition leader R. Sampanthan yesterday briefed the Visiting State Minister of Britain Baroness Anelay current status of the constitutional reforms process. 

TNA leader Sampanthan who met the Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations of the UK, at the residence of the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives also stressed on the need to find a lasting resolution to the national question through the new constitution, a statement issued by the party said. TNA spokesperson M. Sumanthiran was also present at the meeting. 

During the discussion, TNA Leader also brought to the notice of the British minister concerns over strong military presence in the North and their engagement in economic activities which has a bearing on the civilian lifestyle of the residents in the area.  

Sampanthan also highlighted the need to also expedite the process to releasing land to civilian owners while appreciating actions taken by the authorities to release ‘some lands’. 

As Sri Lanka strives toward achieving reconciliation in the future, Sampanthan highlighted the importance of the role to be played by the international community and the UK at this critical point. 

Further the TNA spokesman M. A. Sumanthiran welcomed the role played by the UK at the United Nations in relation to the Human Rights Council’s resolutions on Sri Lanka and emphasised the importance to have such engagement in the future as well.

The State Minister assured that the UK Government will continue to support and encourage the Government of Sri Lanka in both constitutional making process and reconciliation. In a separate meeting on Monday, Northern Province CM C. V. Vigneswaran, aired his grievances with the visiting British Politician, urging the International interference to ensure justice for Sri Lankan Tamils. 

Claiming that the Government is not ready to involve members of the International community in the process to investigate war crimes, Vignaswaran stressed that he does not have confidence in a domestic mechanism to deliver justice. It was essential that an investigation be conducted internationally with the participation of international judges, he said.

The Chief Minister also brought the situation of the widows; their security and economic welfare to the attention of the British State Minister. In response Anelay highlighted that tolerance is important, but agreed to discuss the concerns outlined by the Chief Minister with higher officials.