Tamil Conservatives discontent over Rajapaksa’s visit to British Monarch’s celebrations

[TamilNet, Monday, 14 May 2012, 00:30 GMT]
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the commander-in-chief of the war-crimes and genocide accused SL military, has been invited to participate at the Diamond jubilee celebrations of British Monarch Queen Elizabeth. Expressing regret at the news, Arujuna Sivananthan of the British Tamils for Conservatives told TamilNet “Her Majesty has led an exemplary life binding together various communities not just in the United Kingdom but the the world. As Conservatives committed to the principle of individual liberty, we do not wish the celebration of her six decade reign tarnished by the presence of individuals alleged to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

Mr. Sivananthan further opined that all British Tamils and all those concerned about humanity should promptly contact their MPs and let them know of their feelings in no uncertain terms on this matter.

The last time Mahinda Rajapaksa was in Britain was in 2010, provoking massive protests from the Eezham Tamils in the UK who accused him of genocide. His scheduled address at the Oxford Union was also cancelled due to the scale of protests.

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the 86 year old Queen, who was coronated on 2nd June 1953, will be centred around an extended weekend in 2nd to 5th June.

Rajapaksa is scheduled to leave for Britain on the 3rd of June on a four day visit and is also said to hold talks with British government officials during the stay.