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FCO Minister urges protection of rights to peaceful protest in Sri Lanka

Alistair Burt: I urge authorities to ensure the right to peaceful protest is protected and to ensure a swift and transparent investigation.

• From: British High Commission Colombo
• Published: 8 August 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

FCO Minister urges protection of rights to peaceful protest in Sri Lanka

Speaking today, Foreign Office Minister, Alistair Burt said:

‘I note with serious concern emerging reports of the violent disruption of peaceful protests by the Sri Lankan security forces in Weliweriya on 1 August, in which at least 3 people died.

My thoughts are with the families of those who were killed or injured.

I urge the authorities to ensure the right to peaceful protest is protected and to ensure a swift and transparent investigation.’

Published 8 August 2013