Speaking at the a confrence held by the British Tamil Conservatives, UK ministers and parliamentarians thanked the British Tamil community for their contribution to the country and reaffirmed their committment to “truth, justice, and reconciliation” in Sri Lanka.
This is the 8th consecutive year that the British Tamil Conservatives have held this conference.
Savid Javid, Health Secretary
During the conference, UK Health Secretary thanked the Tamil community for their massive contribution to the healthcare sector noting that much of the responsibiltiy for the government’s success lie with the British Tamil community.
Nadhim Zahawi, UK Education Secretary
In his speech UK Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, emphasised the contribution of the British Tamil community for their contribution to the NHS and to supporting those most vulnerable in British society.
Elliot Colburn, Chair of All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils and MP for Carshalton and Wallington
In his speech, Elliot Colburn, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils and MP for Carshalton and Wallington, maintained that the “UK will never forget the Tamil genocide”.
He further thanked the British Tamil community for its contribution to the NHS and pledged his support to bringing about accountabiltiy in Sri Lanka and levying sanctions against accused war criminals.
Shaun Bailey, Member of London Assembly
Shaun Bailey featured on the left
During the conference Shaun Bailey emphasised the pride he had in Britain’s diversity and noted the contribution that Tamils made to this including in the healthcare sector. He also emphasised the need for magnitsky style sanctions.
“We will fight for you” he added.
Dean Russell, MP for Watford
Speaking at the conference Dean Russell, MP for Watford, thanked the British Tamil community noting:
“Without you we would lose some of the greatness in Great Britain”.
He further added: We must never stop putting pressure on our international forums”.
Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow
In his statement, Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, maintained that “Tamils have suffered from a genocide”.
“They suffer because they don’t have the autonomy they deserve […] they deserve justice and self determination” he said.
He further stressed the need for sanctions on alleged war criminals such as Shavendra Silva and for the recognition of genocide by the United Nations.
Paul Scully, Minister for Small Business and MP for Sutton and Cheam
Paul Scully, Minister for Small Business and MP for Sutton and Cheam, emphasised that under this government the calls for “truth, justice, and reconciliation” would be heard at the highest level.
Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet
In her speech Theresa Villiers,MP for Chipping Barnet, noted her alarm of the rapid deteroration of human rights under the Rajapaksa regime as well as the acceleration of miltiarisation and reversal of accountability.
“Domestic initiatives have manifestly failed” she stated.
Villiers further highlighted the appointment of alleged war criminals to Sri Lanka’s cabinet and continued targettting of Tamil journalists.
“The violence, she notes, is current not historic” she further emphasised.
Villiers reaffirmed her support for magnitsky sanctions and detailed that Sri Lanka’s refusal to reform was evident by its continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Courtesy: Tamil Guardian
