The British High Commission in Colombo has not lodged a complaint with the Sri Lankan government over a protest staged in front of the embassy this morning despite a well known government ally participating in the demonstration. Foreign Ministry sources told Daily Mirror Online that they had not received any communication from the British High Commission or the party involved in staging the protest and therefore the government too would not respond or comment.

“This is purely a private protest and has nothing to do with the government. We have also not received any complaints,” a source at the Ministry said.

Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama also confirmed that he had not been informed of the protest and if any party lodged a complaint, then he would respond accordingly.

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa participated in the protest in front of the High Commission this morning against British Foreign Secretary David Miliband attending the Global Tamil Forum in London last week. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had also later met with the delegates of the Forum.

At the protest, large cut out’s of the British Prime Minister and Miliband were seen pasted across the walls with both of them dressed in LTTE outfits.

However when contacted and questioned if a complaint would be lodged against the protest and the large cut out’s portraying Miliband and Brown as LTTE cadres, Spokesperson at the British High Commission Dominic Williams said that Britain would not make an official comment.

The Sri Lankan government last week also protested vehemently stating that it was unethical of British senior government members attending such pro LTTE events and had also summoned the Acting British High Commissioner in Colombo over the issue.
 

Source: Daily Mirror online