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Commonwealth Games 'opportunity to shine spotlight' on Sri Lanka war crimes

The controversy surrounding Sri Lanka and allegations of war crimes risks overshadowing the Commonwealth Games due to be held in Scotland next July, reported the Herald Scotland.

With Sri Lanka taking over the Chair of the Commonwealth, President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be sharing the limelight with the Queen at the Games.

However, when asked, a spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron's office said "International events such as the [Commonwealth] Games are an opportunity to shine a spotlight [on such allegations]."

The Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander also said President Rajapaksa "will inevitably face continuing questions on allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses if he visits Scotland next summer".

Meanwhile Amnesty Scotland said "it is possible countries who feel very strongly about Sri Lanka's dismal human rights record may reconsider attending Glasgow 2014."

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