Sri Lankan Government Expresses Displeasure Over British High Commissioner’s Recent Comments

The Government of Sri Lanka yesterday expressed its deep displeasure at comments made by the British High Commissioner, Dominic Chilcott at a recent public gathering. The British High Commissioner was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at this meeting Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona drew attention to the High Commissioner’s comment, “I am not saying that the political aspiration for Eelam is illegitimate” and expressed the Government’s deep concern.

The Foreign Secretary stated that this statement was unacceptable to the Government of Sri Lanka given the British government’s categorical rejection of the creation of a separate State in Sri Lanka. Additionally, at a time when the painstaking process of evolving a negotiated political settlement was underway, such sentiments would have a negative impact and send confusing signals. He also expressed disappointment that such statement was made at a particularly politically sensitive time in the country.

The British High Commissioner categorically confirmed that the UK does not support in any way the establishment of a separate State in Sri Lanka. Neither did he personally.

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