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Rights abuses continuing in Sri Lanka: E.U.

COLOMBO: The European Union (E.U.) has said that it “continues to harbour very serious concerns about continuing reports of human rights abuses” in Sri Lanka and stated that the legal provisions of the GSP+ Scheme (under which the island nation receives economic incentives for sustainable development and good governance) established a “linkage between trade preferences and human rights”.

A statement issued here by an E.U. delegation at the end of its visit from March 16 to 18 said the E.U. continued to believe in the importance of guaranteeing access to Kilinochchi for the Norwegian facilitator and Co-Chairs, as well as the U.N. and other organisations concerned to enable “delivery of key messages to the LTTE” about returning to the peace process, allowing humanitarian access and protecting human rights.

A Sri Lankan statement said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, who met the delegation, commented on the “positive atmosphere and goodwill” that prevailed during the members’ discussions with the Foreign Ministry.

Mr. Bogollagama emphasised the importance the government attached to their visit and expressed the hope that it would pave the way for a constructive engagement with the E.U.

The Sri Lankan military claimed on Thursday that at least 21 cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and a Special Task Force member were killed in fighting in the north and the east.

A Defence Ministry statement said 21 LTTE cadres were killed in fighting in the Wanni and in the Northern theatres as troops continued “counter terror offensives amidst adverse weather conditions.”

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