Brits Want Foreign Monitors At Northern Polls
By Easwaran Rutnam
Britain has called for international monitors to be in place during the scheduled elections in the Northern Province later this year.
Senior Minister of State at the British Foreign Office Sayeeda Warsi said her government would like to see a free and fair election in the north.
She said this while addressing an event organized by the Global Tamil Forum in the British Parliament premises last week.
The Global Tamil Forum held its third anniversary gathering at the British Parliament with the participation of a number of British politicians as well as guests from other countries.Warsi said that Sri Lanka would be under intense scrutiny this year and Britain hoped the government would work with the international community to address concerns.
She also said that Britain had not yet decided on the level of attendance at the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Sri Lanka in November.
Canada has already said that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will not attend the conference unless there is progress in Sri Lanka on addressing human rights concerns.
Britain has been consistently calling for an independent investigation into alleged human rights allegations in Sri Lanka.
Warsi said that fully implementing the recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) would go a long way in establishing lasting peace in Sri Lanka.
This is a very good move .If this election is held definitely it will rigged by the Governement & its supporters.
No way! Britain keep off interfering in Sri Lankan elections. These are solely for Sri Lankans and will be run by Sri Lankans. We need no foreigners to tell us how to run elections. We sent the colonials home in 1948.
Britsh politcians keep away from our land . You have no rights in our country after 1948. Your human right good for you within your country.Don’t forget your past in SL rulng almost 135 yrs.
For Harper in Canada you ruined the image of Canada and Canadianship since you came to politics. You have never over ruled the crooks who abused the motgage frauds in your party Mps in your home town (Calgary). Now you are hunting for Tamil votes. You are not goig to be a global Player. You will never be like Trudau
Britain refuses to allow a referendum on whether to remain a part of EU/or not to it’s own population. After much obfuscation, Cameron, the PM promises negotiation with the EU AFTER the next election (if he wins) and a possible referendum to follow.
Would Sri Lanka want advice from such leaders.?
Every election until now has been flawed.This will be more so at this election, as the state has to win it at all cost to prevent TNA winning it if the election is free and fair.
There will be a state media blitz,thousands of state vehicles and personnel,intimidation,thuggery,bribery,disappearances and even killings – much more than now. EPDP pa\ramilitaries and army intelligence personnel will play a major role.
All this should be prevented/reduced by presence of foreign observers.
Sri LANKA WAS END BRITISH RULE IN FULLY 1971 AND SOME GUYS HAD FORGET IT.JUT TAKE CARE YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND LET PEOPLE ‘S APPOINTED PRESIDENT TO RULE THE COUNTRY.WE ARE NO MORE COLONIZED NATION.
Given the history of the GoSL, it is a fair call.
Why monitor only the elections in the North—Monitor all the elections.
Have the election for President of SL in 2014 and have it monitored very closely.
I thought we are no lionger a Brit colony since 1948!?!?!?!?!?
We need international monitors for all the elections. Current ruling family stole the elction last time.