Sri Lanka

Lyn Brown
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of reports that a Sri Lankan Government Minister was involved in disrupting a political rally by the United People's Movement in Colombo.

Dr. Howells
We understand that on 9 January a peaceful and legal demonstration by the United People's Movement in Colombo was cancelled after disruption and intimidation. The demonstration organisers have alleged that a junior Minister in the Sri Lankan Government was involved in the disruption. The Minister in turn has denied the allegation.

There has in recent weeks been an increasing level of restriction on the freedom of expression of some individuals and sectors of the Sri Lankan media that advocate a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We call on the Sri Lankan Government to uphold international standards and the rights of those involved in journalism and legitimate democratic debate.