Sri Lanka's High Commission in Ottawa has said that the Canadian Tamil MP, Rathika Sitsabaiesan's claim of political intimidation during a recent visit to Sri Lanka, was an attempt to "unfairly embarrass the Sri Lankan government", in a statement published on Wednesday.
Stating that the reports of political intimidation were "erroneous", Sri Lanka's High Commission instead argued that she had misinterpreted events due to her own political activities.
The statement said,
"this stated position could be indicative of her seeking to engage in political activity, and being unable to do so in the interest of abiding by Sri Lanka’s immigration laws and regulations, seems to have been interpreted by her as political intimidation."
It added,
"The reference in the same statement on defending principles of human rights further demonstrates a self appointed role to pass judgment baselessly on a sovereign State."
See full statement below:
The media publicity in Sri Lanka and Canada on the recent private visit to Sri Lanka by the New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Parliament Rathika Sitsabaiesan has created much controversy that needs to be clarified.
The information reported in the media and in some of the websites that Ms. Sitsabaiesan was under house arrest was false and was confirmed by her and Canadian Government authorities. As Ms. Sitsabaiesan was on a tourist visa she had been advised not engage in political activities which would amount to flouting Sri Lanka’s immigration laws and regulations.
While Sri Lankan authorities handled this issue in a responsible manner, the statement made by Ms. Sitsabaiesan on 1st January 2014 posted in the NDP website that she was subject to ‘political intimidation’ is erroneous and is an attempt to unfairly embarrass the Sri Lanka Government. Moreover this stated position could be indicative of her seeking to engage in political activity, and being unable to do so in the interest of abiding by Sri Lanka’s immigration laws and regulations, seems to have been interpreted by her as political intimidation. The reference in the same statement on defending principles of human rights further demonstrates a self appointed role to pass judgment baselessly on a sovereign State.
After 30 long years of conflict waged by the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world, Sri Lanka is at a stage addressing the complex issues to bring about healing and reconciliation. Those who genuinely wish to assist in this process should be sensitive to the needs of the country and all the people living in Sri Lanka