Sri Lanka's situation 'is of importance many including UK'

President of the Liberal Democrat party, Simon Hughes, MP told BBC Sandeshaya that what happens in Sri Lanka is of importance to UK and the Commonwealth as well as for many other countries.

The British MP proposed an adjournment debate on Sri Lanka's situation on Thursday.

Economy suffers

Asked by Priyath Liyanage of the need of a debate on Sri Lanka in the British parliament, Mr. Hughes said it is the right moment for the debate as it is 'likely to see escalation of violence' after Sri Lankan government's decision to withdraw from the truce agreed with the Tamil Tigers.

The government of Sri Lanka does not command the confidence of all the people. There have been significant abuses by the government or government linked groups as well as the LTTE. Simon Hughes, MP

What is currently happening in Sri Lanka, he said, is of great importance to 'nearly quarter of a million' Sri Lankan in UK, both Sinhala and Tamil.

He was of the opinion that many international players 'trying to influence' in Sri Lankan affairs is not a mere attempt to interfere in internal affairs, but to help the country to find a lasting solution to prevent the bloodshed that has seen over three decades.

"And the Sri Lanka's economy suffers so badly as a result of war," the Lib Dem Mp told BBC Sinhala.com.

'LTTE sympathiser'

Mr. Hughes categorically denied accusations that he is a sympathiser of the LTTE.

Simon Hughes has attended a rally to mark the annual speech of the LTTE leader, together with some other British MPs.

	British parliament debated post-CFA Sri Lankan situation

"I reject violence. But I know from the experience of all post- colonial free countries where a part of the community has taken arms against the government, the only solution comes from political discussions between the government and those groups," he said.

The MP stressed the need for independent human rights monitors in Sri Lanka to monitor and report abuses.

Talks with Taliban

"The government of Sri Lanka does not command the confidence of all the people. There have been significant abuses by the government or government linked groups as well as the LTTE. The only way you get an objective assessment, not propaganda, is by sending independent monitors".

Asked why he preaches dialogue for Sri Lanka while the West is engaged in 'war on terror' with Al-Qaida and Taliban, the MP said his party objected the invasion of Iraq from the beginning.

Al-Qaida is not known to be fighting for a known political goal, Mr. Hughes, said but he supports political dialogue with the Taliban to resolve problems in Afghanistan.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also shown interest to engage in political discussion with Taliban, Simon hughes told BBC Sandeshaya.