A South African business delegation arrived in Sri Lanka on a four-day visit amid criticism.

Comprising of members of the ANC's Progressive Business Forum, the delegation was led by the deputy minister of economic development, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize.

Sri Lanka's minister of industry and commerce, Rishad Bathiyutheen, asserted, "I have no doubts that this visit would help further strengthen the current trade levels of $65 million".

The visit has drawn criticism from a coalition of civil society groups - the Solidarity Group for Peace and Justice in Sri Lanka (SGPJ), which includes the South African Tamil Federation, The Tamil Coordinating Committee and The World Saiva Council, along side other stakeholders - who have stated that it is "untenable" that South Africa had "chosen economic interests over the promotion of a just and equitable solution" for the Tamils.

Extracts of the statement are reproduced below:

'South Africa has contrary to the growing international sentiment, embarked on a trip to Sri Lanka with a business delegation of about 30 business people from the 5th to the 8th September 2012. This information was kept under a veil of secrecy for reasons best known to the organizers of this delegation.

Sri Lankan newspapers have been openly reporting on this trip citing South African trade values with Sri Lanka and boasting South Africa as its second largest trading partner.

The SGPJ places on record its extreme dissatisfaction and disappointment at the stance adopted by this business delegation, allegedly being led by the Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Hlengiwe Mkhize.

The GoSL has failed to demonstrate its commitment to the values underpinning human rights and justice. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, the police and the military have wide powers that have the effect of a perpetual state of emergency. Allegations of sexual assault, torture, white van abductions, the limitation of free expression and the denial of political prisoners access to legal recourse remain the order of the day. Over hundred thousand people still remain displaced after nearly two years of forced removals. There are also widespread claims of “Sinhalisation” of previously held Tamil land sanctioned by the GoSL with claims of cultural and heritage sites being destroyed and replaced with Sinhala temples.

Given this intransigence by the GoSL to protect the rights and welfare of its own citizens, it is untenable that the South African delegation led by a government deputy minister, has chosen economic interests over the promotion of a just and equitable solution for the Tamil speaking people of Sri Lanka.

Issued by the SGPJ Secretary, Mr. Pregasen Padayachee.