Labour ramps up Sri Lanka pressure on Cameron

As David Cameron prepares to fly into Colombo for the CHOGM meeting, controversy still surrounds his decision to attend, whilst other nations – including India and Canada – are boycotting over Sri Lanka’s questionable Human Rights record.

This morning Labour are ramping up pressure on Cameron over his attendance – and calling for him to work towards finding an alternative Commonwealth Chairman than controversial Sri Lankan President. In an article for the Tamil Guardian this morning, Ed Miliband wrote:

“Despite deep concerns over his Government’s approach to human rights, as host of this year’s summit President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to be automatically appointed as the Chairperson-in-office of the Commonwealth. That would mean the Sri Lankan President representing the organisation on the world stage for the next two years.

There are many, myself included, who have serious reservations about President Rajapaksa’s suitability for this important role. So at this summit this week, unless we see real and meaningful change on human rights in Sri Lanka, David Cameron should work with other Commonwealth leaders on securing an alternative candidate for chairperson-in-office.”

No long afterwards – in what looks like a co-ordinated strategy to ramp up pressure on Cameron for his handling on the summit, Douglas Alexander hit out at the PM’s “desperation” – and drew attention to restrictions being placed on British journalists in Sri Lanka (Always guaranteed to get other journalists interested):

“The images now emerging from Sri Lanka of British journalists being prevented from filming are a sign of the lengths Sri Lanka’s authorities are willing to go in order to shield their President from the world’s scrutiny.

“David Cameron defends his decision to visit Sri Lanka – despite other senior Commonwealth leaders pulling out – by suggesting he will shine a light on Sri Lanka’s worsening human rights situation.

“But the Prime Minister’s latest claim that his visit has less significance because it takes place within a wider summit smacks of desperation.”

Considering the allegations made against Rajapaksa and his government – this could all get very sticky for Cameron once he arrives in Colombo and the photo ops start…