After criticism from human rights organisations, not to invite Sri Lanka to a World War I Commonwealth commemoration event, Downing Street has said invitations should go out as usual.
According to the Herald Scotland, when asked about Sri Lanka, No 10 said: "The usual approach on invitations to members of the Commonwealth should be followed".
Amnesty International Scotland previously said that the UK should reconsider its decision to invite Sri Lanka.
"We would urge the UK Government to consider whether it is appropriate to invite Sri Lanka to this event in light of the level of recorded human rights abuses. It's somewhat ironic that there will be a Commonwealth-related event focusing on the human cost of conflict when Sri Lanka will probably be chairing the Commonwealth", Mark Bevan of Amnesty said.
On Saturday Sri Lanka arrested Tamils who were commemorating their own war dead, 4 years after the end of the armed conflict.
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
