British Foreign Secretary comments on 60th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence

February 7th, 2008

British Foreign Secretary (Foreign Minister), David Miliband, commented yesterday on the 60th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence.

[Foreign Secretary David Miliband-file pic]

He said:

‘The 60th anniversary of Sri Lankan independence is a time to reflect on the health and welfare of the nation and its people as it moves forward in the 21st century. The cycle of violence in Sri Lanka has worsened in recent weeks. Civilian lives have been lost from all communities and regions of Sri Lanka. The end of the formal 2002 cease-fire agreement does not remove the obligation of all parties to the conflict to protect civilian life.

‘I wholeheartedly condemn these attacks upon civilians and those responsible. My thoughts and condolences are with the victims of the attacks, and their families. I call for an immediate end to practices which target civilians or put them in peril. I urge all in Sri Lanka to take steps to safeguard the civilian population and find ways to reduce the violence.

‘Violence can never provide an answer to Sri Lanka’s problems. People in Sri Lanka need to find space to realise their many similarities, rather than becoming further polarised by their differences. A sustainable solution to Sri Lanka’s conflict can only emerge through a just political process involving all communities.’

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