The heads of 14 embassies to Sri Lanka have called on the government to call “on Russia to end its hostilities immediately” and join in “vocal support for Ukraine and international law”.
Press Release on International Support for Ukraine and Condemnation of Russian Aggression
14 Heads of Mission to Sri Lanka "urge the Government of Sri Lanka to join in vocal support for Ukraine and international law, including the UN Charter" pic.twitter.com/qRgpa1dGOE
— EU in Sri Lanka (@EU_in_Sri_Lanka) March 18, 2022
The statement comes as Vadym Boichenko, mayor of the southern port city of Mariupol, has told international media that the fighting has reached the city centre. US sources report that an estimated 7,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in contrast to a reported 2-4,000 Ukrainian troops. The conflict has also caused 3.2 million refugees to flee Ukraine.
The statement comes days after, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister met with a senior Russian official in Colombo in pursuit of a US$ 300 million Credit Line.
The letter was signed by the head of the diplomatic missions for Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Japan, Romania, Switzerland, the UK and the US.
Breach of international law
“Russia’s invasion is an unprovoked and unlawful attack on a peaceful country. Russia threatens the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that underpin peace and security around the world” the joint embassies statement read.
The letter further quoted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who maintained that:
“The UN Charter has been challenged in the past, but it has stood firm on the side of peace, security, development, justice, international law, and human rights. The international community must do everything in its power so that these values prevail in Ukraine and for all humanity”.
The statement further detailed that at the UN General Assembly, Russia faced a humiliating international loss of support with 141, the majority of states, voting to condemn the country’s invasion. Sri Lanka abstained.
A few days later Russia and Belarus rushed to Sri Lanka’s defence at the UN Human Rights Council when faced with accusations of egregious human rights violations and a deepening militarisation.
Read the full statement here.
Read more on the growing ties between Russia and Sri Lanka below:
‘Overwhelming support for Sri Lanka’ – Colombo claims success at United Nations
Russia and Belarus rush to Sri Lanka’s defence at UN Human Rights Council
Russian tourists lead the way in Sri Lanka, including an oligarch or two
Sri Lanka abstains as UN overwhelming condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine
What are thermobaric and cluster bombs? A look at their use by the Sri Lankan army
As world slaps sanctions on Russia, Sri Lanka looks to deepen trade with Moscow
Sri Lanka ‘won’t take sides’ on Russia and Ukraine, as conflict intensifies
Putin and Rajapaksa exchange letters to celebrate ‘abiding friendship’
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