U.S. condemns forced removal of Tamils

[TamilNet, Friday, 08 June 2007, 06:43 GMT]
The Embassy of the United States of America in a press release issued from Colombo Friday condemned the forced removal of Tamils from Colombo. "Such measures violate the Sri Lankan Constitution’s guarantee that every citizen has the right to freedom of movement and choice of residence within Sri Lanka," the U.S. Embassy said.

The United States condemns the forced removal of Tamils

Colombo, June 8, 2007: The United States condemns the forced removal of Tamils from Colombo. Such measures violate the Sri Lankan Constitution’s guarantee that every citizen has the right to freedom of movement and choice of residence within Sri Lanka.

The United States understands and supports Sri Lanka’s obligation to defend itself against terrorism. But this action can only widen the ethnic divide at a time when important efforts are underway to reach a national consensus to end Sri Lanka's nearly quarter-century old conflict.

We call upon the Government of Sri Lanka to stop the forcible removal of its citizens from Colombo, to make public the destinations of those already removed, and to ensure their safety and well-being.

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