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UK FCO is 'deeply concerned' about Sri Lanka

The UK's Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mark Field said the FCO was "deeply concerned by the political situation in Sri Lanka". 

Responding to a written question by the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry asking if the UK recognised Ranil Wickremesinghe or Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister, Field replied, "it is our position that we recongnise states not governments."

"Naturally the FCO is deeply concerned by the political situation in Sri Lanka," Field added. 

"I have called on all parties to ensure that the constitution is respected and due political and legal process upheld. On 29 October I made a public statement urging the President, in consultation with the Speaker, to reconvene parliament immediately to give the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people their voice."

Last month Sri Lanka's president sacked the prime minister, Wickremesinghe and appointed the former war crimes accused president, Mahinda Rajapaksa as premier. 

British MPs from across parties have expressed concern at the situation in Sri Lanka. 

Whilst Freedom From Torture has called for all deportations to the country to be halted in light of Rajapaksa's return to the political scene. 

Despite a number of international calls on Sirisena to reconvene parliament, the president remains defiant, stating his actions were within the law. 

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