UK blocks 1.5 million-pound tsunami relief to Lanka over human rights abuses

Due to poor human rights conditions prevailing in Sri Lanka, which are blamed on government-backed forces, Britain has reportedly blocked debt relief to the tune of 1.5 million pounds to the Island nation.

London, May 4 : Due to poor human rights conditions prevailing in Sri Lanka, which are blamed on government-backed forces, Britain has reportedly blocked debt relief to the tune of 1.5 million pounds to the Island nation.

Britain had pledged the debt relief after the tsunami disaster in 2004, to help to pay off Sri Lanka's debt to free up funds for reconstruction. This year it was supposed to contribute three million pounds and has already paid half the sum. The second tranche of the relief amount has now been blocked.

The British High Commission in Colombo confirmed that it was suspending debt relief until the human rights situation improved in the strife-torn country.

According to The Times Online, the suspension of the debt was expected to anger the Lankan Government, which claims that Tamil rebels were responsible for breaking a ceasefire agreement concluded in 2002.

Since violence resumed 18 months ago, the Tigers have been blamed for a series of suicide attacks and even air strikes on Colombo airport by the fledgling rebel air force.

Britain decided to suspend the relief when Kim Howells, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister responsible for Sri Lanka, told the House of Commons that if Colombo was serious about peace it must distance itself from a spate of abuses blamed on government-backed forces. He accused the Tamil Tigers of atrocities and said that the group would remain a banned terrorist organisation in Europe while it conducted acts of violence. He also criticised the Government and its paramilitary allies.

"The LTTE [Tamil Tigers] is not the only source of violence in Sri Lanka. Civilians in government-controlled areas regularly fall victim to brutal attacks by paramilitary groups, often acting with apparent immunity," the paper quoted Howells as saying.

Gareth Thomas, a minister at the Department for International Development, told trhe Commons: The outstanding payment will be made only when consultations have concluded with the Sri Lankan Government. Those consultations will, in particular, involve discussions about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka."

Since the ceasefire broke down in 2005 more than 4000 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced. Yesterday, Tamil separatists attacked government forces outside Vavuniya, the last government-held town in northern Sri Lanka. On Wednesday, 13 rebels were reported killed and there are fears that the conflict could be intensifying.

ANI