SL group protests against UK’s demand for probe
23 Nov 2013 4:53 AM IST
Activists of Ravana Balaya demonstrated in front of the UK’s embassy here demanding that Britain investigate the crimes of its own troops in British Ceylon in 1818.
In a communique handed over to the embassy, Ittakande Saddatissa, a Buddhist monk and Ravana Balaya chief, said, ‘We have found very clear evidence to prove as to how the British Army executed captured freedom fighters without going through a proper judicial process.
‘There were evidences that the British Army had opened fire indiscriminately at civilians, including children while destroying paddy fields by setting fire to them.’
Mr. Cameron had, on the sidelines of the summit, warned Sri Lanka that his Government would work with the UN Human Rights Council to set up an international inquiry if the country failed to address rights concerns by March next year.
Mr. Rajapaksa had rejected Mr. Cameron’s warning, saying countries should not ‘dictate’ to Sri Lanka.
In a communique handed over to the embassy, Ittakande Saddatissa, a Buddhist monk and Ravana Balaya chief, said, ‘We have found very clear evidence to prove as to how the British Army executed captured freedom fighters without going through a proper judicial process.
‘There were evidences that the British Army had opened fire indiscriminately at civilians, including children while destroying paddy fields by setting fire to them.’
Mr. Cameron had, on the sidelines of the summit, warned Sri Lanka that his Government would work with the UN Human Rights Council to set up an international inquiry if the country failed to address rights concerns by March next year.
Mr. Rajapaksa had rejected Mr. Cameron’s warning, saying countries should not ‘dictate’ to Sri Lanka.
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